A Massive Dha/Daab/Dah/Dao....But From Where???

CharlesS · 26th August 2016, 09:20 PM

Here is a lovely old massive dha/daab/dah/dao sword, the likes of which I have never seen. It is 59in. long overall with a 28in. long blade that is 2.25in. wide at its widest point, and 1/2in. thick at the forte. I have put it next to a more average sized dha for comparisons.

The blade style(dao) seems NW. Burmese even into Nagaland, but the long, elegant brass mounted hilt seems a bit refined for Naga blades. The blade shows a nice temper line and a lot of activity when etched, though I doubt little of this was shown in its original form.

It has been suggested this was a sparring weapon. I just can't see that. Sparring weapons generally don't have the ability to literally cut a man in half...this does.

Comments and opinions regarding this piece's origin are most welcome.

Battara · 27th August 2016, 12:32 AM

Looks like a three hander to me....

drac2k · 27th August 2016, 02:29 PM

Wow, Charles, another great piece, from your consistently fantastic collection!
Maybe, like the old Japanese Tachi swords ,which were much longer than the katanas, it was used against cavalry.

CharlesS · 27th August 2016, 03:22 PM

That is a great point Drac2k...and I had not thought of previously. The Chinese had a long handled dao for just that purpose, but the name escapes me.

Royston · 27th August 2016, 03:26 PM

Are you thinking of the Zhanmadao Charles ?

Great sword by the way.

Cheers
Roy

Ian · 28th August 2016, 05:21 AM

Great dha Charles. I've seen a few of these massive ones and they could have been used for a number of purposes, some of which have been mentioned here.

As far as where it may have come from, I think it is unlikely to be Burmese. While the arrangement of ferrules resembles Burmese style, the high ratio of length of hilt to length of blade is not a Burmese trait. More likely Northern Thai/Shan or thereabouts IMO. The rounded pommel is consistent with that area also rather than Burman work.

Ian

CharlesS · 28th August 2016, 02:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

Are you thinking of the Zhanmadao Charles ?

Yes, Royston, that's it. Thanks!

26th August 2016, 09:20 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Massive Dha/Daab/Dah/Dao....But From Where??? Here is a lovely old massive dha/daab/dah/dao sword, the likes of which I have never seen. It is 59in. long overall with a 28in. long blade that is 2.25in. wide at its widest point, and 1/2in. thick at the forte. I have put it next to a more average sized dha for comparisons. The blade style(dao) seems NW. Burmese even into Nagaland, but the long, elegant brass mounted hilt seems a bit refined for Naga blades. The blade shows a nice temper line and a lot of activity when etched, though I doubt little of this was shown in its original form. It has been suggested this was a sparring weapon. I just can't see that. Sparring weapons generally don't have the ability to literally cut a man in half...this does. Comments and opinions regarding this piece's origin are most welcome. Attached Images

27th August 2016, 12:32 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,217	Looks like a three hander to me....

27th August 2016, 02:29 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Wow, Charles, another great piece, from your consistently fantastic collection! Maybe, like the old Japanese Tachi swords ,which were much longer than the katanas, it was used against cavalry.

27th August 2016, 03:22 PM	#4
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	That is a great point Drac2k...and I had not thought of previously. The Chinese had a long handled dao for just that purpose, but the name escapes me.

27th August 2016, 03:26 PM	#5
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Are you thinking of the Zhanmadao Charles ? Great sword by the way. Cheers Roy

28th August 2016, 05:21 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Great dha Charles. I've seen a few of these massive ones and they could have been used for a number of purposes, some of which have been mentioned here. As far as where it may have come from, I think it is unlikely to be Burmese. While the arrangement of ferrules resembles Burmese style, the high ratio of length of hilt to length of blade is not a Burmese trait. More likely Northern Thai/Shan or thereabouts IMO. The rounded pommel is consistent with that area also rather than Burman work. Ian