Karud
Pashtun
Emirate of Afghanistan (Afghnistan) - Punjab Province, British Raj (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan)
Last half the 19th century (ca. 1870 - 1900)
Steel, horn, brass, iron
Blade: 27,9cm
Hilt & Blade: 40,6cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2020

Ex. UK Art Market (2020)

A karud dagger from the region of Southern Afghanistan into Pakistan around the Khyber Pass region, dating to the last half of the 19th century.

The single- edged straight blade has a pronounced T-shaped spine cross section that is beveled in the center, engraved with linear incisions. The edges, being raised with the central portion of the blade flat, extending into an acute point. Iron bolster and backstrap.

The hilt is composed of two robust ribbed horn scale grips fastened in place by iron nails with a brass liner between the backstraps. An iron pendent is attached to the pommel. Missing its sheath. A good quality karud dagger in traditional Afghan styling, dating to around the second Anglo- Afghan War period.

Photograph 13: Comparison in the book “Edged Weapons of Afghanistan, Page 326.

[1] Miloserdov, Dmitry Yurievich. 2019. “Edged Weapons of Afghanistan”. Page 206 – 218, Pages 322, 330

[2] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3243

[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=3123

[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=5415

[5] https://www.mandarinmansion.com/item/pesh-kabz-horn-plated-hilt