Please help ID Tughra ? from Afghanistan

Here's a brief slideshow with pix of two different markings from the tops of the breeches of a pair of rifled cannons that came from Afghanistan. I know I've erred in failing to provide photos of the whole weapons, will attempt to get some soon. This pair of cannons is going to auction and I have no idea what the intricate designs mean, but I'm pretty sure the larger one, resembling a typical Sultan's Tughra, is the name and title of the ruler who had the weapons made. I think the cannons date from around 1880. They are cast steel, have three-groove rifling, and the bores are around 2 3/8 inches diameter. The barrels (all I have) are about 4' long, and each weighs, I'm guessing, around 300 lbs. Each barrel has two groups of marks, one large (Tughra?) about 3" x 3", and the other, perhaps a date? is about 3" x 1". Any ideas? If the slideshow wants a password, it is "attack"

http://s17.photobucket.com/user/cannonmn/slideshow/Afghan Tughra on rifled cannons

 

A comparison with Afghan coins of the period may help. Try a coins board, some Indian region coin collector may have an idea. The lengthy inscription is probably a verse from the Koran.

 

Thanks, will keep that in mind. I did ask a lovely young Afghan lady who is a teller at my bank. She had no idea but photographed my images and sent them off to a friend who might know. Waiting.

I want to give her a tip for helping, whether she finds an answer or not, but I'm sure I'd have to do it outside the bank-got the feeling the bank wouldn't like it if I handed her a tip through the teller window.

 

Tellers accept money all the time, it's their job. How would anyone notice an extra ten bucks.

I think hanging round outside the bank by a moderately wealthy elderly white man waiting to give a gift to 'a lovely young Afghan lady' might be pure in the eyes of the pure at heart (assuming there are any) but any town gossips will have a field day and the young lady herself might find it confusing.

I'd stick with sincere thanks. Small amounts of money can be a bit insulting, although I personally am always willing to be insulted by Ben Franklin.

 

A note to her boss, with a copy to her, saying how helpful and friendly she was and how this has made you feel even more pleased to do business with them, without mentioning exactly what she did, since it's not really job related, would probably be more appreciated than a small tip. Banks really want people to like them these days, so she should get brownie points.

On the other hand if you really want to know if a tip would be appreciated, offer to cover any expenses she had in getting the information "including your time of course", and see what she says.

 

Small amounts of money can be a bit insulting, although I personally am always willing to be insulted by Ben Franklin.

I would love to be insulted by Wm. McKinley or even Grover Cleveland & if Woodrow Wilson ever wants to insult me, well that would be just okey dokey.

 

The note to her boss is a nice idea.

I think perhaps a small bouquet of flowers or a small box of candy might be appropriate.

 

Good ideas, I think I'll just ask her what I can to show my appreciation, although I'm guessing she'll decline any tangible gifts.