Epaulets

I’m told the Arabic on these translates simply to “Afghanistan”. Assuming they are Afghan I think that would make them very rare. I cannot find another example even close to this. I’m hoping one of the amazing researchers here might find an image of someone wearing a set. Either a photograph or illustration. I’d love to be able to date them. They look 19th or early 20th century to me. It doesn’t look like they were a typical part of any Afghan forces uniform from what I’ve seen. I want to rule out that they did not belong to an occupying force that was stationed there. I cannot imagine the British for example would put a “medallion” with the the name of the place a unit was stationed on it onto a uniform? Based on the way these are made it would make more sense they were British or Russian or someplace more industrial. The “medallion” part saying Afghanistan would seem to say the opposite though. Of course many countries ordered and imported this type of thing but it also doesn’t seem to be a typical uniform piece for Afghan forces. Maybe just for a high ranking member? Would be neat to trace it to one of the Anglo Afghan wars or other known conflicts. Hoping someone can help ID them in one way or another. They where sold as Turkish btw. Assuming the Afghanistan translation is right I’d guess that’s incorrect. Unless the Turkish occupied or fought alongside the Afghans at some point and would represent that on their epaulets like I mentioned above. I don’t know much about the regions history at all. I’m not sure what the “Town=“ part on the tag note is referring to or what book the page reference is referring to. There doesn’t seem to be any manufacturers marks on the back of the button. I had hoped that would be an easy clue. It’s hard to see under there though without removing it so maybe it hides a clue I’m not seeing. Anywho I’m excited to see what turns up in the replies, if anything.

 

They didn't even change the tags

 

It is an older coat of arms of Afghanistan, but the pulpit (with the steps) seems to be facing the other way.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emblem_of_Afghanistan

Plenty of conflicts in Afghanistan. Everyone wanted it, no one got it, except for a range of Persian empires.

 

That’s them.

 

I did examine that seal/coat of arms in your link. They certainly did have plenty of conflicts. No one in the near past seems to be able to go there and claim a real victory that’s for sure.