Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - In very rusty condition ...but is this a Khanda??

Pukka Bundook · 18th March 2007, 03:47 PM

David,
I think you're right to stop about now with the cleaning.
It looks lovely, and would spoil it to look too 'new'.

I don't know a thing about khandas, but to me it seems seriously old and of great interest.
This I base more on logic than knowlege (!) for the following reasons;

This khanda has a ricasso, as Jens mentions, and no supporting strips down the blade, (long at back, short at front)
Never seems to have had these supports, as on ones I've seen, they are joined at the top, and are fixed to the hilt.

Because of this lack, it would appear to have been made before it was quite decided what a khanda should look like, Which automatically sets it as very early.
(Either that, or very late, and from the looks I think we can rule that out!)

Also, the rusted appearance looked nearly as bad as on my old English Back-sword when I got it. (1630's)
I'm not saying it Is that old, I don't know.
All I know is, it has something that makes it stand out, to me at least, as being very old and interesting!

I do hope someone with more information can tie it down a bit closer.
BTW, How does it feel in the hand?

Richard.

18th March 2007, 03:47 PM	#19
Pukka Bundook Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 803	David, I think you're right to stop about now with the cleaning. It looks lovely, and would spoil it to look too 'new'. I don't know a thing about khandas, but to me it seems seriously old and of great interest. This I base more on logic than knowlege (!) for the following reasons; This khanda has a ricasso, as Jens mentions, and no supporting strips down the blade, (long at back, short at front) Never seems to have had these supports, as on ones I've seen, they are joined at the top, and are fixed to the hilt. Because of this lack, it would appear to have been made before it was quite decided what a khanda should look like, Which automatically sets it as very early. (Either that, or very late, and from the looks I think we can rule that out!) Also, the rusted appearance looked nearly as bad as on my old English Back-sword when I got it. (1630's) I'm not saying it Is that old, I don't know. All I know is, it has something that makes it stand out, to me at least, as being very old and interesting! I do hope someone with more information can tie it down a bit closer. BTW, How does it feel in the hand? Richard.