Tulwar - oldish?
 

Added a new tulwar to the arsenal. 33" overall, the blade has the eyelash mark. I seem to recall a few tulwars in the past with the eyelash and gear combination.
The zigzag mark looks a bit like a stylized "wolf of Passau".

I find the handle very interesting. The silver decoration is not inlay but seems to be niello. The surface of the handle was scored and overlaid with a black material into which the silver was applied. Was this the usual way of applying overlay?

Emanuel

Looks more like typical koftgari- score the steel, press in the the silver enough to create a mechanical lock, then paint on your special resin/something mixture and polish down. Brings out the contrast. Oppi Untracht details this method in his metal techniques of craftsman book.

Emanuel,
Could the decoration be made in Bidri work?
Jens

Good suggestion Jens, I was not aware of this technique. The silver is indeed laid into the black material, not directly on the hilt surface.
Here are some examples of Bidriware.

Emanuel

I learn something new here every day. Thank you gentlemen!
Steve

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bidriware

Bidri ware hilt intact
 

Hello Guys,

this is a very interesting post.

Here's picture of an intact Tulwar hilt with bidri ware. Same decorations like Emanuel's. Blade has also same "eyelash"-mark, but also some cartridges. Maybe sanskrit? I don't know. I am a greenhorn with indian edged weapons.

The last finish for bidri ware is made with a special paste after the inlays are made. It makes the bidri ware smooth and black without harming the inlays. The paste contents a secret substance (acid), which is gained only on side (Bidar).True ?

You can find kinds of informations on homepages of dealers from modern bidri ware.

Hilt is not complete cleaned yet. There are no blemishes.

kind regards
and still a merry chrismas
Enibas

Sorry for bad english

Hi Enibas,

Interesting hilt you are showing. Please show the whole tulwar, and can you show a sharp close up of part of the hilt decoration, together with a picture of the top of the disc? Is the blade watered or pattern welded? Please show any decorations/markings on the blade in close ups.

We all try to learn something on this forum, so dont worry.

Jens

sharp close ups
 

Hi Jens und all,

you are just kidding me... sharp close ups.... Camera hates me! :(

But I am gonna try my best next days, please a little bit endurance.

Blade: no pattern visible. I guess, it's forged by preindustrial iron,but I cannot be sure.

kind regards
me