Lohar -- always ask for pictures of both sides!
 

Recently got this from an overseas seller. He never mentioned the other side. Looked pretty good until I turned it over. Guess I'll mount it solid to the wall?!?!

What do you think?

[EDIT NOTE] I just got a message from an expert in Lohars. He says that Lohar usually look like this. Fancy on one side and plain on the other. I have no experience with these and did not know.

I still suggest that it is a good idea to get images of both sides.

I too have fallen foul to the one sided photo.

Nice lohar anyway ...
 

Bill:

My experience with lohar is limited to a dozen or so pieces. A few had decoration on both sides. Most did not.

Ian.

I have only handled the small folding ones. How big is this? Reminds one of African work often only contured and decorated on one side.

I'd like some dimensions; thickness , length of shaft, length of blade, length overall etc .

I'm still not totally convinced that these don't have a martial purpose .
I don't recall any solid evidence proving they were not .

It's very close in shape to the japanese Kama. It might be a real weapon
even if some examples aren't.

Hi Rick,

OAL = 16.5 inches
Cutting edge of blade = 6 inches
Back of blade to tip = 7 inches
Shaft from top of handle to cutting edge of blade = 8.25 inches
Length of handle (including ferrule) = 6.5 inches
Diameter of hanlde = handle 1 inch, flare at end of handle 1 3/4 inches
Shaft thickness = 1/4 inch; width = 1/2 inch

Blade is very sharp

Would make a good weapon.

I also have a wonderful Spontoon from same seller with the same provenance, (below)

Provenance from seller:
Collected by Major general, Feldmarschalleutnant, Feldzeugmeister " Leopold v. Schleyer - Edler von Pontemalghera ". He was department chief in the war ministry in Vienna in the Austria - Hungarian Monarchy from (Abt.: 5./TB, 5./M, 7., 7./P, 8., 8./HB) under war minister " Alexander Ritt. v. Krobatin ". He were promoted to Feldzeugmeister (FZM) on 1st May 1915. In his personally collection was this important item. I bought it by his daughter in Vienna. A dreamlike item like this and with this very very important provenance you will not find it a second time
General major Leopold Schleyer Edler v. Pontemalghera
(1858 - 1920)
GENERAL major, Feldmarschall-Leutnant, Feldzeugmeister, Military technician and military writer department chief in the war ministry in Vienna in the Austria - Hungarian Monarchy from (Abt.: 5./TB, 5./M, 7., 7./P, 8., 8./HB) under war minister " Alexander Ritt. v. Krobatin ". He were promoted to Feldzeugmeister (FZM) on 1st May 1915.
Medal : Ritter des Leopold-Ordens, ..................

In 1909 the Militäraeronautische Anstalt (military aeronautical institution) under the command of Hauptmann/Major Franz Hinterstoisser was renamed under the authority of the "Allerhöchster Entschliesung (by command of his Majesty) on the 7th of October 1909 as the k.u.k. Luftschifferabteilung (Imperial and Royal airship detachment). Formerly subordinated to Festungsartillerieregiment Nr. 1 (fortress artillery regiment number 1) the detachment was now placed under the direct command of the newly created Verkehrsbrigade (transport brigade) in Vienna. This brigade consisted of the railway and telegraph regiment, the automobile corps and the airship detachment and was commanded by the enthusiastic balloon pilot General major Leopold Schleyer Edler von Pontemalghera.