Greetings,

I have an opportunity to purchase what is described as a Persian Blade, antique hand forged c1700.

I would very much appreciate any assistance in authenticating this sword, authenticating its age and possible value.

Look forward to your response and regards

Cliff

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Thank you for the prompt response, unfortunately, no scabbard and best photos I have for now. What does it mean if it is an Indian Tulwar?

Basically, it just means that it's likely Indian rather than Persian. Different style, different history and place of origin. Functionally all but identical (for what that matters with antiques). :)

At least based on the photos it doesn't scream modern tourist replica to me, so I'd say tentatively it looks good on a first glance.

Possibly Indian, possibly Afghanistan, It looks like mine that I have bought in Afghanistan. I have owned about 10 of these, I am down to seven now,

[ Linked Image ]

I would also say 1800s rather than 1700s,

There's really a lot of old tulwars floating around. Most aren't terribly old either, but there's honestly no way of telling unless they're assessed by a professional or there's a date (that hasn't been added after the fact to give it "authenticity") on it. Really, unless it's coming from a creditable auction site or retailer like Oriental Arms, just consider it "probably antique". Most of these are 1800's or so. The fancier, more decorated ones tend to be older (and more expensive).

For example if you get on Ebay you can find tulwars looking about like yours for as low as $200... even bundles of them.

Best advice? If you like it and can get it for a fair price-- go for it and enjoy :)

Yeah, given the crossroads that was the general area of Afghanistan/Pakistan/Western India, it would be absolutely no wonder to find plenty of variety in the blades carried there. However, the pulwar is definitely a 'trademark' of warriors from Afghanistan and Pakistan in any number of photos.

Here's one from Wikipedia (guy in lighter coat sitting near the middle, holding it vertically:
[ Linked Image ]

Even in this picture, the guy sitting right in the middle has a more traditional shamshir in his lap rather than another pulwar or talwar. You can also see that many of them are wearing (most likely) pesh-kabz knives through their belts. One of those kneeling at the left of the picture has a long sheathed sword or knife; this may be a classic Khyber or charay knife, many of which reached sword proportions.

[quote="David Lewis Smith"]

Eric S wrote:

You also have to keep in mind that Afghanistan, Pakistan and western India as political regions or States are a fairly new concept, culturally the lines are very blurred

Afghanistan is much older than Pakistan which was formed 1947.

[quote="Eric S"]

David Lewis Smith wrote:

Eric S wrote: You also have to keep in mind that Afghanistan, Pakistan and western India as political regions or States are a fairly new concept, culturally the lines are very blurred Afghanistan is much older than Pakistan which was formed 1947.

That is exactly my point. I will note this however, only very rarely do any of my friends or acquaintances from the region known as Afghanistan refer to themselves as 'Afghan' They are Pashtun, Tajik, Hazara, Uzbek, Aimak, Turkmen, Baloch, Pashai etc etc. For a time it was an empire ruled from Gazni, I have been in both the castles there and one of the towers.

Much of what Pakistan calls the FATA belongs to Afghanistan in treaty as well, Pakistan or rather the Government in Islamabad will not turn it over.

some of them look like me,
can you find me?
[img]https://scontent-b-atl.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc3/t31/p180x540/737837_10151155173222541_325683405_o.jpg[/img]

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Afghanistan, 2011

Thankyou everyone for your very informative responses, this is much appreciated. We also have traveled India and have seen many such swords, so it both intrigues and frustrates me when the term "Persian" is so loosely used.

Kindest regards

Cliff

Cliff
I don't want to try and teach anyone to suck eggs, but I notice you are in Australia. I don't know what state you are in, but unless you already have the relevent exemptions, I would check out your state's weapon restriction laws. They vary, but some (such as Vicoria) are extreemly tight, and any sword or sword like object requires an exemption, and a safe place of storage. Some dealers or sellers are not as accross the details as they should be, and can potentially get buyers into trouble.

The tulwar is often designated as an Indo-Persian sword rather than Persian. When kings ruled Persia the only sword they carry was the shamshir, not the tulwar.

It has been my experience that most antique dealers do not know anything about swords, probably just a miss labeling based on a quick google search