Afghan Officer's Regulation Sword
Kabul, Emirate of Afghanistan (Afghanistan)
Early 20th century (ca. 1910)
Steel, iron, wood, leather
Blade: 66,7cm
Hilt & Blade: 80cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: 81,2cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 359

An Afghan sword used by officers in the Afghan military during the late 19th to early 20th century period when reconfiguration of the Afghan military was taking place to standardize into a new formidable fighting force. These regulation swords evolved over a number of decades from the late 19th century into the early 20th century. This example originates from the latter years as the last type of form.

The steel blade is very wide in construction, slightly upcurving to a point. Two deep fullers are separated by a central ridge. Thickened spine with a false edge to the last 3/4 blades length. Thick ricasso with the stamp of the Royal Arsenal of Kabul (Mashin Khana: Machine House) ( Stamp of Mehrab o Munbar). Iron hilt with hardwood scales and an iron "D" handguard in European inspired style, pierced in a three- bar design. Untranslated, presumably Pashto or Farsi, inscription on the langlet with possibly the number "29". This may be part of an arsenal number or part of a Hijiri date of 1329 (1911), which corresponds to the correct time period.

Original sheath made of wood, covered in leather with iron mouth and chape mounts with the attached belt ring. A complete and very good condition regulation sword. Heavy duty blade with great balance. These were produced in limited numbers with varying degrees of quality.

The last phtograph shows a simliar sword held by General Doud Shah of the Ghilzai Tribe taken in Gandamak, Afghanistan, May 1879. Seated from left to right: British officers Mr. Jenkyns and Major Cavagnari C.S.I., Amir Yakub Khan (in the center), General Daoud Shah and Habibullah Mustafi. Photograph by John Burke (1843 – 1900).

• Miloserdov, Dmitry Yurievich. “Edged Weapons of Afghanistan”. 2019. Page 438 – 451, Pages 476 – 477, 482 – 482, 486 -487.

• http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=17522