LARGE**Early 20th Century Sword Size Pesh-Kabz Choora / Khyber Afghan Knife With Tropical Hard Wood Scales, T- Section Blade & Rare To Find Original Scabbard. Sn 23497 Knive

**LARGE**Early 20th Century Sword Size Pesh-Kabz Choora / Khyber Afghan Knife With Tropical Hard Wood Scales, T- Section Blade & Rare To Find Original Scabbard. Sn 23497 - 23497

The Psh-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 original, large, sword size example of the pesh-kabz / choora form knife made some time in the early 20th Century. It has a heavy 19 ½” single edged T-Section blade (25 ½” overall). The blade is just under 2” wide at its broadest and the spine is 7mm thick at its widest. The blade has just age related staining & is sharp and undamaged. It has the correct curved pommel and finger guard. The grip frame has thick, grooved tropical hard wood scales secured by steel pins. The pommel of the grip frame has a small steel protrusion for wrist cord. The scales are intact and secure. The knife is complete with its original rare to find leather wrapped wood scabbard. All leather & stitching are intact. The scabbard has a large brass chape with hand tooled foliate decoration all around. The knife fits the open top scabbard snugly. The price includes UK delivery. Sn 23497 (on shelf behind Bowies box)

£375.00