Please help to id

Hernan · 31st May 2006, 10:50 PM

Hi:
Congratulations for your forum.
Someone can help me to identify this?

http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0659.jpg
http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0660.jpg
http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0663.jpg

I bought it it China, supposedly from Mongolia.
Many thanks in advance.

Regards, Hernan.

P.D. Sorry for the pictures....

Andrew · 31st May 2006, 11:33 PM

Welcome.

It's called a katar. From India.

ariel · 31st May 2006, 11:53 PM

Being paranoid about anything with the "Chinese Connection", I would advice thorough but gentle cleaning with WD-40 and a soft cloth. There is a lot of red (fresh?) rust and the Chinese are masters of artificial aging. The handle is of South Indian style, with a convex base, but I have never seen such a long wavy blade on a katar, almost a Moro Kris. Katar is supposed to be a stabbing weapon; this one is mostly a "slasher". My fear is that cleaning might reveal signs of recent "marriage". Look for a rivet of strange coloring, thermal damage etc.
If I am wrong, congratulations, you got yourself a winner!

Henk · 1st June 2006, 08:24 AM

Herman,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm afraid Ariel is a little bit very right. You bought it in China? I bet they told you it belong to a general of the chinese imperial army.
There is only one rule for chinese weapons: CAVEAT EMPTOR !!!!

IainN · 1st June 2006, 01:24 PM

I have found one example of a similar katar. Apparently with a 23" blade.

But I am concerned by the patina on your piece. As the others have mentioned buying anything from China with a blade is a risky proposition. The nature of the rusting is extremely consistent with other faked pieces I've seen in a variety of styles coming out of China. On the other hand a quick search on ebay didn't turn up an analog so you might be in the clear.

However I am concerned by how closely your piece resembles the one I posted. While I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination on katars, I do try to keep up with Chinese fakes since I have an interest in authentic Chinese pieces, and to my eyes the two are just too similiar.

Hernan · 1st June 2006, 02:10 PM

Many thanks to all of you.

I bought it in China, but not in a market. I bought it from an old man, out of town. It wasn't on sale. I saw it on the wall, when having dinner with him, at his place.

I will clean it with WD40 this weekend and let you know.The fresh rust you can see it is my fault. I had it in a basement and was in contact with some water.

31st May 2006, 10:50 PM	#1
Hernan Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Montevideo Uruguay Posts: 5	Please help to id Hi: Congratulations for your forum. Someone can help me to identify this? http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0659.jpg http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0660.jpg http://www.yourfilehost.com/media.ph...e=IMG_0663.jpg I bought it it China, supposedly from Mongolia. Many thanks in advance. Regards, Hernan. P.D. Sorry for the pictures....

31st May 2006, 11:33 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Welcome. It's called a katar. From India.

31st May 2006, 11:53 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Being paranoid about anything with the "Chinese Connection", I would advice thorough but gentle cleaning with WD-40 and a soft cloth. There is a lot of red (fresh?) rust and the Chinese are masters of artificial aging. The handle is of South Indian style, with a convex base, but I have never seen such a long wavy blade on a katar, almost a Moro Kris. Katar is supposed to be a stabbing weapon; this one is mostly a "slasher". My fear is that cleaning might reveal signs of recent "marriage". Look for a rivet of strange coloring, thermal damage etc. If I am wrong, congratulations, you got yourself a winner!

1st June 2006, 08:24 AM	#4
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	Herman, Welcome to the forum. I'm afraid Ariel is a little bit very right. You bought it in China? I bet they told you it belong to a general of the chinese imperial army. There is only one rule for chinese weapons: CAVEAT EMPTOR !!!!

1st June 2006, 01:24 PM	#5
IainN Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Canada Posts: 31	I have found one example of a similar katar. Apparently with a 23" blade. But I am concerned by the patina on your piece. As the others have mentioned buying anything from China with a blade is a risky proposition. The nature of the rusting is extremely consistent with other faked pieces I've seen in a variety of styles coming out of China. On the other hand a quick search on ebay didn't turn up an analog so you might be in the clear. However I am concerned by how closely your piece resembles the one I posted. While I'm not an expert by any stretch of the imagination on katars, I do try to keep up with Chinese fakes since I have an interest in authentic Chinese pieces, and to my eyes the two are just too similiar.

1st June 2006, 02:10 PM	#6
Hernan Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Montevideo Uruguay Posts: 5	Many thanks to all of you. I bought it in China, but not in a market. I bought it from an old man, out of town. It wasn't on sale. I saw it on the wall, when having dinner with him, at his place. I will clean it with WD40 this weekend and let you know.The fresh rust you can see it is my fault. I had it in a basement and was in contact with some water.