AFGHANISTAN

French 1886 Lebel brought back from Afghanistan, only one of about 30 with any afghan markings and these are restricted to these seen on the hilt. Interestingly there was no evidence of the rifles found. Both white metal and brass hilts with and without quillions were noted.

1888 with long blade, peculiar to Afghanistan, has Afghan marking on blade and no UK markings at all. Blade has a very wide spine similar to some of the UK volunteer models and the edge is completely unsharpened. Scabbard has integral chape and frog stud on the locket.

Locally made 1888 this has a cleaning hole in the hilt, which is not very common and few have been noted, markings are limited to a scratched X on the ricasso - maybe a passing link to the UK bend mark?  Scabbard on this has had a localised repair carried out at some time in the past. Although well made it is obviously of lower quality than the UK made examples

Afghan marked 1888, probably locally made looking at quality, although better than many it still shows very obvious machining marks. There is no cleaning hole in the hilt or pommel, but crossguard is marked and there is a distinctive ricasso marking, though not he same marking as reported in Skennerton or seen on other Afghan 88's

1903, the crown over VR or ER normally seen on these has been replaced by the royal Afghan cipher. This stamping is reported on both long and short blade 1888's but never on the 1903. The blade is clearly marked as Enfield made (efd)

UK 1903 Volunteer with what I have take to be Afghan tang marks

Hilt, blade is unmarked except for writing on tang and Wilkinson London makers mark

Unknown script on tang

Both visible tangs are marked with different text

Wilkinson London marked

Local made 1907

Grips are held on by brass rivets in the same fashion as the locally made 1888's

With post 1916 cleaning hole in the pommel

Edge is crudely made, the 45deg angle of the edge would never sharpen

Fullers are hand ground and different lengths on either side, edge finishes some distance from the cross guard

Fullers extend almost to the point of the blade

Tang tapers from blade thickness to the pommel

Although similar to the UK made fittings those on this scabbard differ in some details

Even mouth piece is hand cut