Naga Daggers

[Gavin Nugent]

I pose a question about an elusive weapon, has anyone seen or do they have examples of Naga daggers?

I have not sighted any in the book, "The Nagas" but I know they must surely exist.

If anyone can provide an image or three I would be most grateful.

Gavin

[colin henshaw]

Hi Gavin

As far as I am aware, the Nagas didn't really use daggers, but I could be wrong. From memory, I can recall seeing a Naga spearhead with the socket bound in red rattan, in a wooden sheath open to one side like for a dao. Have no images though.

There is an image of a knife in the Oldman catalogue reprint, but it is described as "Khamti".

[Gavin Nugent]

Hello Colin,

Thank you for posting.

Would you have an image from the Oldman catalogue available?

The use of a spear head in this manner noted makes logical sense and I have often wondered if any daggers would be socketed too, much like the knives, swords & choppers in many other cultures within SEA.

Gavin

[colin henshaw]

Here is an image, Gavin.

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Colin, they exist and are certainly rare.

[Ian]

Another one that I acquired more than 15 years ago and have seen very few since then. Note that the open sheath has a single raised edge corresponding to the back of the knife--this is a typical arrangement in my limited experience.

Ian.

[Gavin Nugent]

An interesting example with interesting similarities Ian.

The Bolo shape and non flared pommel have me thinking of other influence though....so little known, so few seen...

Thanks

[Ian]

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

An interesting example with interesting similarities Ian.

The Bolo shape and non flared pommel have me thinking of other influence though....so little known, so few seen...

Thanks

Yes, I agree Gavin. The chisel-edged fat belly is certainly reminiscent of Visayan tenegre, for example, and the hilt does not look quite right (I got this off eBay where it was listed as a Philippine bolo). However, the scabbard is certainly distinctive, especially the bands of copper wire and the attached leather strap, and judging from the marks on this old blade it has been in that sheath for some time.

Another two examples I have seen that were provenanced from Nagaland did show the more characteristic hilt, an iron ferrule, and slimmer blades. The sheath on both had the raised edge on the backside of the blade and one was bound in copper wire while the other was bound with rattan strips. Overall length was probably about 12-15 inches, although I did not have the chance to handle them and my notes indicate only an approximate length. Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of these other two.

As you say, just not a lot of data to go by with these knives.

Ian.