Question about a Dha

kino · 8th March 2011, 02:50 AM

I picked up this "Asian Sword", (sellers description), over the weekend at an antique show. I searched Mark Bowditch's D.R.A. ,for a similar looking example, found similar type of pommels but with different shaped blade and almost same type blade with diffferent hilts.
Is this a Shan dha? it has these engravings on the blade that one might find on a tourist piece. I believe this one is fairly old judging by the patina on the copper hilt. Anyone want to take a stab at the age?
Thanks in advance.

Nathaniel · 8th March 2011, 03:17 AM

Kino

Interesting piece. The makers mark on the blade is a new one I have not seen before! You should add this one to the thread on dha/ daab makers marks!

I'll let Mark, Andrew or someone else speak of the type. I'm not sure. Interesting though that the hilt is copper? Not something you see all that often. Maybe just the patina as there are several alloys in SEA. Thanks for sharing!

Great find!

Gavin Nugent · 8th March 2011, 03:18 AM

A beautiful piece, congrats Kino. I like the blade very much.
Whilst the hilt may appear copper to you, I think you will find it is tarnished silver. I have several Dha that were of this hue and they are silver. it appears many silvers from these regions go this colour, I am guessing something to do with the smelting process of the alloys and the inpurities they mix with the base metal.

Congrats again.

Gav

Nathaniel · 8th March 2011, 06:22 AM

The decoration on the blade reminds me of these two pieces:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3789

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3776

kino · 8th March 2011, 05:21 PM

Thanks guys.
Tarnished silver alloy... Well when I get home this evening I will
have to pay close attention to the material. Maybe polish a small
section.
Thanks for the link showing similar decorations.

Andrew · 9th March 2011, 08:10 PM

Nice sword. Thai, probably early 20th c., in my opinion.

I do not necessarily disagree with Gav that the handle material may well be a silver alloy. However, I'd lean more towards some other alloy--perhaps a type of brass (copper/zinc).

Andrew

Battara · 9th March 2011, 08:18 PM

According to the patina I see, I would say brass or, more likely, copper.

kino · 11th March 2011, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Nice sword. Thai, probably early 20th c., in my opinion.

I do not necessarily disagree with Gav that the handle material may well be a silver alloy. However, I'd lean more towards some other alloy--perhaps a type of brass (copper/zinc).

Andrew

Andrew, Thanks.

I have not had the time to look over or polish the hilt. This weekend I will have some time to do it and I will update on what I find.

Nathaniel, thanks for the additional info.

8th March 2011, 02:50 AM	#1
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,003	Question about a Dha I picked up this "Asian Sword", (sellers description), over the weekend at an antique show. I searched Mark Bowditch's D.R.A. ,for a similar looking example, found similar type of pommels but with different shaped blade and almost same type blade with diffferent hilts. Is this a Shan dha? it has these engravings on the blade that one might find on a tourist piece. I believe this one is fairly old judging by the patina on the copper hilt. Anyone want to take a stab at the age? Thanks in advance. Attached Images

8th March 2011, 03:17 AM	#2
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Kino Interesting piece. The makers mark on the blade is a new one I have not seen before! You should add this one to the thread on dha/ daab makers marks! I'll let Mark, Andrew or someone else speak of the type. I'm not sure. Interesting though that the hilt is copper? Not something you see all that often. Maybe just the patina as there are several alloys in SEA. Thanks for sharing! Great find! Last edited by Nathaniel; 8th March 2011 at 06:22 AM.

8th March 2011, 03:18 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	beautiful A beautiful piece, congrats Kino. I like the blade very much. Whilst the hilt may appear copper to you, I think you will find it is tarnished silver. I have several Dha that were of this hue and they are silver. it appears many silvers from these regions go this colour, I am guessing something to do with the smelting process of the alloys and the inpurities they mix with the base metal. Congrats again. Gav

9th March 2011, 08:10 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Nice sword. Thai, probably early 20th c., in my opinion. I do not necessarily disagree with Gav that the handle material may well be a silver alloy. However, I'd lean more towards some other alloy--perhaps a type of brass (copper/zinc). Andrew Last edited by Andrew; 10th March 2011 at 01:01 AM. Reason: Meant Gav, not Nathaniel.

8th March 2011, 06:22 AM	#4
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	The decoration on the blade reminds me of these two pieces: http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3789 http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=3776

8th March 2011, 05:21 PM	#5
kino Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,003	Thanks guys. Tarnished silver alloy... Well when I get home this evening I will have to pay close attention to the material. Maybe polish a small section. Thanks for the link showing similar decorations.

9th March 2011, 08:18 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	According to the patina I see, I would say brass or, more likely, copper.