Tribal Kard from Central Asia with Sham Blade

This type of Kard knife is coming probably from Turkmenistan or Uzbekistan or other central Asian country. Persia and Afghanistan where also suggested as origin. It is some time refer to as Tribal Kard.

The exemplar offered here is mid 19C. with heavy blade forged from sham steel (Middle eastern crucible steel with a low contrast pattern).   The grip is of cylindrical form, composed of black horn and alternating sectors of copper and brass and a thick walrus pommel disk. The horn sectors of the grip are decorated with metal nails and inserts. Wood scabbard covered wiyh what looks like a reptile skin with steel chape.

Blade length 11 ½ inches (29 cm). Total length 17 1/2 inches (44 cm). Very good condition. Old scratches on the blade. A rare exemplar.