Bone and Metal Folding Lohar. Afghan Weapon Manufactured in the 19th Century. Well Preserved.

This rare piece is a folding lohar, a traditional Afghan one hand weapon, and dates from the 19th century. This piece is a real curiosity, an attractive antique item full of aesthetic interest. The folding lohar is quite rarer than the one with fix blade. It is a highly beautiful and decorative piece with steel blade, golden metal body and bone butts, these ones adorned with dark red decorative motives. It is in quite good condition and keeps all its original parts, all very well preserved.The lohar can be completely folded as if it were a pocket knife or navaja. The steel blade enters the golden metal body and the butts can also be folded over the blade, this one entering their central groove. When folded it is very small in size and can be carried into the clothes. The lohar is a traditional weapon used by the Babochi Afghan tribe, located in the Khyber pass area. This pass is the natural connection between Afghanistan and Pakhistan, frequented by talibans nowadays. It is a personal defense and attack weapon that can be very dangerous in an experienced hand and that can be unfolded just with a flick of the wrist. The lohar is also a very important utensil for the Banochi tribe: each man makes and decorates its own weapon with personal and specific patterns that differ from the rest.Both the body and the butts are embellished with small circles with a dot in the center, probably performed with a punch. The circles of the butts have been enhanced with dark red paint and are matched with parallel lines in the same color. On the other hand, the golden metal body also bears engraved parallel lines both horizontally and diagonally disposed. In essence, it is a subtle and charming decoration that turns this weapon into a nice piece. The folding axes are also well preserved: solid and strong, they let the user fold the lohar easily.This rare and decorative folding lohar is an exceptional piece, an object of desire for any lover of original antique weapons.Measurements (unfolded): Length: 265 mm. Length of Blade: 135 mm.