WW2 Hill Tribe Dha

Tim Simmons · 12th June 2010, 02:48 PM

Came across this interesting Dha today. The scabbard is a little batterd but still with the sword. Interesting the use of a British Hercules bicycle wheel hub for handle and guard. It works perfectly and gives a slightly Japanese look which I think is just incidental. Nice looking blade with fancy fullering and decoration. I do not think the blade is wonderful but all you need to hurt people with. Inlay of copper, brass, and what I think is zinc or aluminium. I would not be surprised if it is from tribal help to behind the lines fighters like Z force in Borneo.

Lew · 12th June 2010, 05:01 PM

Tim

I have my doubts on this one. The blade is too clean compared to the hilt and scabbard. The gap between the hilt and blade is a sign to me that this was put together by a person not of the hilltribe. The blade is good quality and nice and nicely decorated an interesting piece.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 12th June 2010, 06:46 PM

Yeah I have cleaned the small rust patches of the blade. Some of the small patches were rather deep and sadly will always be pitted.

Nathaniel · 12th June 2010, 07:17 PM

Interesting piece, especially the blade.

Thanks for sharing...there has been a sad lack of Dha postings lately

katana · 12th June 2010, 11:12 PM

I like it Tim

,
I thought most Dha blades were an 'interference' fit in the handle. Perhaps the tang was slightly 'over wrapped' before insertion, preventing a 'total' fit.

I love the idea of an old bike being broken up to use as parts....and using a wheel hub, a 'master' stroke. Nice blade, I wonder if the 'white' metal decoration are from old dry cell battery casings (if Zinc alloy).

Were small nails commonly used to fix the (shark/ray skin ?) wrapping on Dha ?

Regards David

Nathaniel · 13th June 2010, 01:55 AM

David,

To answer your question, regarding the nails and rayskin, yes...very common in Burman dha.

See these examples:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6350

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5970

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5425

http://home.comcast.net/~jtcrosby/Dha.html

http://www.arscives.com/historysteel.../227-iag08.jpg

http://www.arscives.com/historysteel.../228-ayw16.jpg

Jim McDougall · 14th June 2010, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

I like it Tim

,
I thought most Dha blades were an 'interference' fit in the handle. Perhaps the tang was slightly 'over wrapped' before insertion, preventing a 'total' fit.

I love the idea of an old bike being broken up to use as parts....and using a wheel hub, a 'master' stroke. Nice blade, I wonder if the 'white' metal decoration are from old dry cell battery casings (if Zinc alloy).

Were small nails commonly used to fix the (shark/ray skin ?) wrapping on Dha ?

Regards David

David, regarding batteries...many years ago I had a Burmese dha with the heavily embossed casing overall and the 'story' type blade. In looking closely at the motif in the casing one day, I could clearly see 'Ever ready' ! the well known batteries.

Very innovative use of materials!

Andrew, the work you, Mark and Ian did over the years on dha is definitely legion!!! I recall that when you guys began this, there was virtually no reference material on these weapons, though Carter Rila did some brief preliminary work. Its nice to see you posting

Andrew · 14th June 2010, 07:01 PM

I don't really have much to add regarding this one that hasn't already been mentioned. Blade, handle and scabbard do not "jive". I think the scabbard is WWII-vintage, but the blade and handle look mis-matched.

I'd actually like to see some better pics of the scabbard, if possible, Tim. I have a WWII dha with a very similar scabbard. It's the one with the "BP ->" (Burma Police) marked blade and guard/pommel/scabbard fittings crafted from brass shell casings.

12th June 2010, 02:48 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	WW2 Hill Tribe Dha Came across this interesting Dha today. The scabbard is a little batterd but still with the sword. Interesting the use of a British Hercules bicycle wheel hub for handle and guard. It works perfectly and gives a slightly Japanese look which I think is just incidental. Nice looking blade with fancy fullering and decoration. I do not think the blade is wonderful but all you need to hurt people with. Inlay of copper, brass, and what I think is zinc or aluminium. I would not be surprised if it is from tribal help to behind the lines fighters like Z force in Borneo. Attached Images

12th June 2010, 06:46 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Yeah I have cleaned the small rust patches of the blade. Some of the small patches were rather deep and sadly will always be pitted. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 12th June 2010 at 06:58 PM.

12th June 2010, 11:12 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I like it Tim , I thought most Dha blades were an 'interference' fit in the handle. Perhaps the tang was slightly 'over wrapped' before insertion, preventing a 'total' fit. I love the idea of an old bike being broken up to use as parts....and using a wheel hub, a 'master' stroke. Nice blade, I wonder if the 'white' metal decoration are from old dry cell battery casings (if Zinc alloy). Were small nails commonly used to fix the (shark/ray skin ?) wrapping on Dha ? Regards David Last edited by katana; 13th June 2010 at 02:48 AM.

12th June 2010, 05:01 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim I have my doubts on this one. The blade is too clean compared to the hilt and scabbard. The gap between the hilt and blade is a sign to me that this was put together by a person not of the hilltribe. The blade is good quality and nice and nicely decorated an interesting piece. Lew

12th June 2010, 07:17 PM	#4
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Interesting piece, especially the blade. Thanks for sharing...there has been a sad lack of Dha postings lately

13th June 2010, 01:55 AM	#6
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	David, To answer your question, regarding the nails and rayskin, yes...very common in Burman dha. See these examples: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6350 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5970 http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5425 http://home.comcast.net/~jtcrosby/Dha.html http://www.arscives.com/historysteel.../227-iag08.jpg http://www.arscives.com/historysteel.../228-ayw16.jpg

14th June 2010, 07:01 PM	#8
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I don't really have much to add regarding this one that hasn't already been mentioned. Blade, handle and scabbard do not "jive". I think the scabbard is WWII-vintage, but the blade and handle look mis-matched. I'd actually like to see some better pics of the scabbard, if possible, Tim. I have a WWII dha with a very similar scabbard. It's the one with the "BP ->" (Burma Police) marked blade and guard/pommel/scabbard fittings crafted from brass shell casings.