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#1 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
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Recently purchased on ebay. Quite large for a kukri – it measures 21” overall. My guess is that it is a ceremonial/sacrificial sword. There are faint traces of inlaid foliage designs all over the blade but they can hardly be seen in pictures. I did some research while waiting for it to arrive in the mail and believe that a crowned guy and a snake depicted on the hilt symbolize Krishna emerging victorious from the throat of the demon Aghasura : http://www.iskconbangalore.org/killing-aghasura-demon.
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#2 |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
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Hi Stan,
I am no expert on these, but I believe that this is NOT a true Kukri, but is what is known as a Kukri Bladed sword, and comes from India.(There is no doubt a correct name for it) Hopefully Berkley will see this and comment further. A nice piece by the way....... ![]() Regards Stu |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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These blades decoritive Indian kukris are generaly untempered, they were sold in the west by firms like Bannermans up to the 1930s for wall display, the hilt may possibley be a replacment, most were all steel.
Stu I guess your thinking of Sosson Patta? Spiral |
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#4 | |
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Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND
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Stu |
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#5 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
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LOL, at least we can all agree on that ![]() |
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#6 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
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![]() Its a non functing kukri, With a probably later tourist Tulwar type hilt. {I agree with Alex, re. the hilt...The Diety looks more like a pixie to my eye. ![]() Gene to my eye that hilts not quality? Looks poor casting? Heres a few kukris all of which are larger than the featured one. some with kora grips, For me only one of then is approaching sword size. {21.5 inch blade & 7 inch handle.} But to me its just a kukri. But each to there own. Spiral |
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: The Sharp end
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'Pixie' lol, harsh! Indian bronze casting often looks somewhat 'nieve' in style. This hilt isn't bad, it's just not 'great'. As for the blade, it certainly does have that early 20thC look, similar to the ones we so often see from the bannerman cat's and the others that form part of the flood of early 20thC Indian wall hangers etc. There must be pictures on the forum? (goes off to find) Last edited by Atlantia; 7th November 2012 at 06:28 PM. |
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#8 | |
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Join Date: Jan 2006
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Last edited by ALEX; 7th November 2012 at 01:14 PM. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
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Yes, it is a kukri bladed short sword (or a tulwar hilted large kukri). Not a sosun pata but a different weapon entirely.
The blade actually appears to be of high quality steel. It is sharp and shows signs of use. The hilt may be a replacement but to me it looks quite elegantly cast despite being brass or bronze and not steel, which may or may nit indicate its age. |
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#10 |
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Although my first thought's were along the same lines as Jonathan's, there is perhaps one other small possibility.
I've seen processional/festival pieces with a-typical brass hilts. In fact I know of a sousson pata with a much simpler brass hilt with small 'cymbal' type noise-makers built into it so that presumably it will make a 'clang clang clang' noise as it's carried if it's jiggled up and down and I've held that sword and the blade is fully 'live'. I've seen pictures of them carried at the head of processions at festivals. Beyond that possiblity I have to agree with my esteemed collegue Jonathan's assessment of age at around 1900-1930 and that it 'feels' more 'form' than 'function'. The casting quality of the hilt would also fit with that: 'new' enough to not be of the finest 'antique' quality, old enough to still be quite good. The Indian's have been making pieces to appeal to foreigners interested in thier rich culture and traditions for...... well, as long as anyone! Either way, I think it's an attractive piece with genuine age. Edit: I'm not saying this is a sousson pata of course because it's not. ![]() Last edited by Atlantia; 7th November 2012 at 05:44 PM. |
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