Very Good 19 C. Long Turkish Kard Knife

The word "Kard" is originally the Persian word for a knife. In the collectors vocabulary it is referred to large knife, with straight  blade, intend both for cutting and for thrusting. Kard knives were common in all the area from the Balkan in the west to Indo-China in the east, from the early 18 C. and well into the 20th century.

The exemplar Kard knife exhibited here is Turkish, late 19 C. Long massive blade of wedge cross section forged in a Turkish style crucible steel (wootz).  The blade forte and steel bolsters are inlaid with gold decoration (Koftgari work). Silver grip strap and massive walrus tusk grips. A small turquoise stone is set at the pommel side of the grip strap. Leather covered scabbard with spiral stitched seam. Gilded silver locket and chape.

Blade 12 inches (30 cm). Total length 18 1/2 inches (47 cm). Good condition. Minor edge nicks and pitted spots on the blade. Minor losses to the gold inlay decoration.  Good age patina on the grips.  Good solid 19 C. Kard