AN 18TH CENTURY INDIAN SHAMSHIR, 81.5cm sharply curved blade incised with three inscriptions in Persian with two owner's inscriptions Sarkar Aslan Kham and Sarkar Zakariya Khan and the swordsmith's inscription Made by Mir Ali Ishfani, stamped with the Persian letter H and filled in gold at the forte, characteristic copper gilt hilt with chain knuckle guard, reeded ivory grip, contained in its copper gilt mounted leather scabbard.
See page 15 Robin Wigington's book, the letter H in Arabic, the weapons on Tipu's personal firearms are filled with gold or silver sheet whereas munition quality arms it is left blank or filled with brass.
From the Tipu Sultan collection acquired by Major Thomas Hart after the siege of Seringapatam.