An exceptionally long Choora

A very long Choora (or "Chura") dagger from the Afghan-Pakistan border region, the location of the famous Khyber Pass. These daggers are generally associated with the Mahsud tribe of South Waziristan, and seem to represent a local variation on the Persian pesh kabz dagger.
 
This example has the classic straight, strongly ridged "T-back" blade optimised for thrusting. The blade is in great condition and free from pitting, aside from some forging flaws. The hilt is made of alternating sections of antler and horn. The middle section on the left side of the hilt was lost at some point and subsequently replaced with a piece of wood. This replacement piece is being stabilised by a small piece of metal which has been rammed into the gap between it and the adjoining piece of horn. The pommel section on the left side also has a crack in it, but is still solid. The leather covering on the scabbard has worn off in many places, but the scabbard itself is still sound with no breaks or splitting. 
 
Blade length: 34.5 cm
Overall length: 46 cm
Length in scabbard: 51 cm
Late 19th - early 20th century