19th Century Indo-Persian Pesh Kabz/Kard Knife
This is an interesting 19th Century Indo-Persian Pesh Kabz / Kard knife with hilt scales of buffalo horn inset with yellow metal.
The 230mm blade is of layered steel and differs from the customary “T” shaped blades often associated with these knives. The nicely decorated blade is thick and heavy with an 8mm flat spine tapering to 1.5mm at the point. The blade has a triangular cross section and the edge is very sharp. The weight of the blade is nicely balanced by the steel front bolster and wide tang which broadens into the rounded, beaked rear bolster. The knife measures 348mm total length.
This is a solid, heavy and well balanced knife.
The Pesh Kabz (pesh qabz) is of Persian origin and was introduced into India in the 16th century. The name means “fore grip” in Persian. Persian sword smiths were often employed at Indian courts. By the end of the 16th century, Indian smiths had mastered many of the Persian techniques and the India and Persian styles became highly intermixed.
The Pesh Kabz was used by warriors across a vast area, from Central Asia through Persia, Afghanistan, Pakistan and India. There is great variety in their style, size and decoration.
