Fire-steel (length 5 1/2 ins) of very thick (half-inch) metal; turned back at top and ending in a dragon's head, extremely well executed, with eyes and ears of silver, a large flowing crest, and round open throat, from which issues a waved-pointed tongue; sides damascened in gold and silver, including four inscriptions in Persian on each side; the inscriptions (same on each side), translated, read "Wilayet of Shah Bandah", "Wilayet of Shah Bandah", "Abbas Shah" and "Abbas"; probably 16th or 17th century. [NB: One of 19 examples (nos. 487-505) which are all believed to be Persian or Indo-Persian and some to be very old. They are all of peculiar, but elegant, shape. Several are decorated by excellent damascene-work in gold. Together they form a handsome and interesting series which is worthy of special notice.]