Silver inlay on ebay sword

RhysMichael · 21st October 2005, 04:57 PM

If you get a chance please look at item 6569665235 The auction is now over. The seller describes it as Japanese but the silver inlay looks like what we see on Thai swords. Has anyone seen inlay like this on Japanese swords or Thai made straight swords like this one ?
Thanks

Mark · 21st October 2005, 06:18 PM

Interesting sword John. I have two theories. The first is that it is a Burmese cane sword, which were apparently an indigenous type of weapon (I'll check Egerton when I get a chance). The second is that it is a cane sword made for a British ex-pat or visitor in Burma. The kofgari is uniquely Burmese as far as I have seen. In either case, it looks like the blade may be European.

Miyamoto · 21st October 2005, 07:24 PM

Only my opinion: It looks like one of thoose cinese repros floating over ebay...

Tim Simmons · 21st October 2005, 08:40 PM

I would say it is certainly from Burma. It looks rather nice . This is silver wire work from one of my dha, as Mark says uniquely Burmese. I have seen this kind of straight bladed sword before some with ivory handles and obviously made for wealthy Burmese. I would like to suggest that this may not have been made for a European. Tim

Battara · 22nd October 2005, 05:21 AM

I agree with the others in that it is Burmese. However I would not call it inlay, but overlay since it sits on top of the steel, more like really thick silver koftgari, which is typical of the region.

Andrew · 22nd October 2005, 07:50 PM

I don't think there's any doubt about the Burmese origin of that koftgari. Such small panels at the forte have become so common they are almost pedestrian, and ubiquitous on tourist swords from the region. Older, finer swords and knives generally have more extensive, heavier and fancier koftgari, but I've seen some very nice blades with small simple panels like this.

The sword itself is interesting. At 24", my theory is this is a swagger stick produced locally for either the general British trade, or perhaps for a specific individual. The leather seems a European or military affectation in this context.

21st October 2005, 04:57 PM	#1
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Silver inlay on ebay sword If you get a chance please look at item 6569665235 The auction is now over. The seller describes it as Japanese but the silver inlay looks like what we see on Thai swords. Has anyone seen inlay like this on Japanese swords or Thai made straight swords like this one ? Thanks

21st October 2005, 08:40 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I would say it is certainly from Burma. It looks rather nice . This is silver wire work from one of my dha, as Mark says uniquely Burmese. I have seen this kind of straight bladed sword before some with ivory handles and obviously made for wealthy Burmese. I would like to suggest that this may not have been made for a European. Tim Attached Images

21st October 2005, 06:18 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Interesting sword John. I have two theories. The first is that it is a Burmese cane sword, which were apparently an indigenous type of weapon (I'll check Egerton when I get a chance). The second is that it is a cane sword made for a British ex-pat or visitor in Burma. The kofgari is uniquely Burmese as far as I have seen. In either case, it looks like the blade may be European.

21st October 2005, 07:24 PM	#3
Miyamoto Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 44	Only my opinion: It looks like one of thoose cinese repros floating over ebay...

22nd October 2005, 05:21 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I agree with the others in that it is Burmese. However I would not call it inlay, but overlay since it sits on top of the steel, more like really thick silver koftgari, which is typical of the region.

22nd October 2005, 07:50 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I don't think there's any doubt about the Burmese origin of that koftgari. Such small panels at the forte have become so common they are almost pedestrian, and ubiquitous on tourist swords from the region. Older, finer swords and knives generally have more extensive, heavier and fancier koftgari, but I've seen some very nice blades with small simple panels like this. The sword itself is interesting. At 24", my theory is this is a swagger stick produced locally for either the general British trade, or perhaps for a specific individual. The leather seems a European or military affectation in this context.