LARGE**Early 20th Century Sword Size Pesh-Kabz Choora / Khyber Afghan Knife With Polished Horn & Bone Scales T- Section Blade & Rare To Find Original Scabbard. Sn 21449:12 Swords

**LARGE**Early 20th Century Sword Size Pesh-Kabz Choora / Khyber Afghan Knife With Polished Horn & Bone Scales T- Section Blade & Rare To Find Original Scabbard. Sn 21449:12 - 21449:12

The Pesh-Kabz or Choora is a type of Perso-Afghan knife (see page 494 of Stone's book 'A Glossary Of Arms & Armour'). The knives were typically used as a thrusting weapon, however their heavy blades also have considerable slicing performance and as such may also be used effectively with slashing or cutting strokes. During the British Colonial rule in India, the British frequently referred to all Afghan blades of this pattern collectively as "Afghan knives" or "Khyber knives", after the Khyber Pass that marked the transition from British India to the nation of Afghanistan. In India, manufacture of the pesh-kabz was centred in the northern city of Bhera, now part of Pakistan. During the First and Second Anglo-Afghan wars, the pesh-kabz was frequently the weapon of choice for finishing off wounded British and colonial troops, as the Afghan tribesmen did not take prisoners except for use as hostages. This is an excellent, large, sword size example of the pesh-kabz / choora form knife made some time in the early 20th Century. It has a heavy 23 ¼” single edged T-Section blade (28 ½” overall). The blade is just under 2 ¼” wide at its broadest. The blade has just age related staining & is sharp and undamaged. It has the correct curved pommel and brass finger guard. The grip frame has thick polished horn and bone section scales secured by pins. The scales are intact and secure but do have light surface wear to be expected. The knife is complete with its original rare to find leather wrapped wood scabbard. The leather has faint hand tooled geometric decoration and a large conical brass chape which has ornate hand tooled decoration. The mid section of the scabbard has a plain brass strengthening band. The scabbard is all intact with just some small areas of surface wear consistent with age. The knife fits the open top scabbard snugly. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 21449:12 (in armoury bucket)

£425.00