New Acquisition: A Qajar sabre with etched blade, bearing Quranic calligraphy, animal motifs. For use in Ashura plays. 1850ish, all OC

Finally arrived: a Qajar era Iranian sabre, with a curvature reminiscent of Turkish Pala. The blade geometry is distinctly different to earlier Iranian swords.

This blades has a simple wedge shape geometry, with a false edge, and is monosteel - not crucible steel. It is acid etched with quranic inscriptions, and was likely used during ashura festivities.

The hilt, like other "revival" style Qajar swords, features beast head quillons and an integral pommel. A similar style can be seen on contemporary Afghan pulwar, or on much earlier Arab straight swords.

There is a even but thin coating of active corrosion on the hilt and near the tang which must be stabilised, but overall condition is quite good.

This is what a Pala looks like. Note the similarities in blade profile. The key difference here is that the Pala has a "T" shaped spine.

This is what the earlier, more typical Iranian Shamshir (sword) look like.

This particular example is thick enough, hard enough and comes to a fine enough edge angle to be used, though it was never intended for usage in combat. Many qajar swords intended for ashura plays were extremely thin

Previously mentioned straight sword in "revival" style. 1830-1850