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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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In my collection of Indian swords, aside from the numerous tulwars/shamshirs, I have a representation of most classic uncommon shapes from the sub-continent. I have a sukhela, 2 patissas, a sosun patta, a firanghi, a cora, and a pata. One blade that managed to elude me all this time to the point where I have not even had a chance to handle one is that of a kirach. Strangely I found these to be either rarely available or far beyond my budgetary means. Imagine my surprise when while browsing eBay a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a seller in the UK selling a bunch of low-end tulwars, one of which had a rather peculiarly shaped blade...
![]() So I took my chances and placed a bid winning this sword at around $85 shipped. Now that it had arrived and I have some of my own pictures to show, I will let you be a judge as to what I got here. I will say however, that aside from some surface rust spots (which should clean off easily), the blade, while not wootz and unmarked, is made of a good quality, springy steel. The curvature is much more evident when you hold the sword, which is quite sharp, very light weight and superbly balanced. Needless to say I am quite happy with my purchase. Could this be one of the swords allegedly issued to Sikh artillery troops? The first 3 pictures are from the seller (just showing what I had to base my initial judgment on), the rest are mine: |
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#2 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Nice .
My example is a bit more extreme ..... ![]() |
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#3 | |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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#4 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Sometimes I wonder if it really is a kirach or some other kind of beastie .
All the other examples I have seen are more in the style of yours, Stan . Got any more pictures for us ? ![]() And .... Is the blade pattern welded ? ![]() Last edited by Rick; 11th January 2012 at 10:48 PM. |
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#5 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: Brooklyn, NY USA
Posts: 227
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Rick,
I am pretty sure your sword is a kirach too but designed for combat against havier armored opponents. To me it looks almost as if it served a similar purpose to a tegha - serious armor crushing, plus piercing capabilities. I wonder how heavy it is? You are correct, most kirach I see are similar to mine. However, many have a different kind of blade, where the tip is shaped almost like an up-side-down kissake of a samurai sword. This results in the edge on the convex (cutting) side of the blade to be almost flat. I don't know if this indicates a different use, geographical region, or something else. I'll clean the sword over the weekend and will try to get a few more pictures including some close-ups. At a glance the blade does not appear to be pattern welded. Its just a plain, although good quality steel, but perhaps I will learn otherwise as I clean this baby. |
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#6 |
Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,287
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Hi Stan,
That sword weighs in at a tad over two pounds, 32.035 oz . I'm not so sure about its chopping qualities; but it is a superb blade for the thrust despite (or maybe because of ?) its downward curve . I have tried it out on ye trusty pool noodle . ![]() ![]() I'd be interested in the weight of your example; these swords come along so rarely; more information is always helpful . |
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