Tulwar with serrated blade

[DaveS]

Here for viewing is a tulwar with a serrated blade. The blade is 27 inches long, 32 inches overall. No scabbard. The silver overlayed handle is 100 percent intact. Must have taken a while to sharpen this sword. I wonder how much skin was left on the hands of the person that did the sharpening............Dave.

[spiral]

Looks brand new.

Was it sold as a reproduction?

spiral

[AJ1356]

That is what I was thinking, Brand New.

[DaveS]

Spiral: No. I have had this for many years. I just clean everything up so it looks as if it was still in use. When I got it, you couldn't even tell that the handle was silver. The blade was covered in a layer of very fine rust. Lucky that there was no pitting. Everything cleaned up really nice, better than I thought it would...........Dave.

[spiral]

mmm. perhaps I am wrong but, the handle edges look sharp. the dot punch marks still have a raised surround, the silver appears new in both style & quality, so Id guess any rust must have been very light surface rust.

That doesn't necessarily imply great age.....

In the world of antique weapons, to me brand new means younger than me, Im 50 I think your sword is a lot younger than that.

But experts in this area like Alex A.J. Artzi, Charles, R.S. & many others could better advise.

Spiral

[DaveS]

Spiral: I will defer to their opinion then if they choose to join in. regardless, even if it's determined to be old or new i still think it has quite a unique look to it..........Dave.

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by DaveS

Spiral: I will defer to their opinion then if they choose to join in. regardless, even if it's determined to be old or new i still think it has quite a unique look to it..........Dave.

Hi Dave,
It all depends on what one compares the look with And this is when old/new argument comes to play, and even more so - whether one collects antique arms or any
Apart from being "too clean", the decorative technique and style play a major role in age estimate. The shaping of the blade was done by relatively simple filing/stock removal, creating a more novelty form than a weapon. Granted, the handle is of better than average modern Indian quality and could have some age. However, I agree with Spiral - being 50 years old is not antique, and I also think it is likely less. Hilts like this are cast of steel, and even being coftgaried or overlaid in silver they develop patina quite fast, which make them look older.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by DaveS

The blade was covered in a layer of very fine rust. Lucky that there was no pitting. Everything cleaned up really nice, better than I thought it would...........Dave.

Rust can hide a multitude of evils and it does not mean an item is old, when an item is rusted (especially red rust) and shows no signs of age or use you can usually assume the item is modern.