Drop pointed straight bladed tulwar, what purpose?

Kmaddock · 19th November 2017, 09:10 PM

Hi
I just got this Tulwar
The sharp edge is quiet pronounced falling away from the handle so the sharp edge is in front of the handle.
If you drew a line straight from the langets the tip of the blade is 6 inches in front of the handle.
The blade is slightly wider towards top 43 mm and 35 mm at the lower part of blade
Overall the sword is in rusty but potentially good condition.
I am looking forward to cleaning it to see what lies underneath
The resin in the handle is v solid so this is the way the blade orientation is meant to be, there is a small river in the handle which is impossible to photograph on the phone
Two fullers on the back of the blade on both sides.
I am confident enough the rust is just surface
So does anyone know what is this type of Tulwar and any idea of why this shift from the norm blade wise
I will take better outside pictures when it’s day time
From some searching I believe this weapon is a kirach, so all I need to know now is what is this weapon specifically for and any idea of age
Regards
Ke n

Jens Nordlunde · 19th November 2017, 10:30 PM

Ken,
It is hard to judge the sword when you only show part of it.
On the secpnd picture it seems as if the blade and the hilt does not fit. If this is so, it could meand that either the hilt or the blade have been added at a later date.
Happy cleaning:-)

Kmaddock · 19th November 2017, 10:57 PM

Thanks Jens
I will take better pictures tomorrow
How do you mean the blade and hilt do not fit, can I ask what you see?
There is a good bit of resin holding the blade to the hilt so if it is a marriage it is an old one.
I’ll post pictures
Regards
Ken

kronckew · 19th November 2017, 11:13 PM

the tulwar hilt pommel disk is designed to keep you from bending your wrist, forcing a close in slicing style of attack. someone may have 'adjusted' this one to let him have a bit more leeway.

british raj era sepoy armouries were supposed to have separated the blades and hilts during peaceful periods, to protect against spur of the moment mutinies. in case of war, the hilts and blades were reunited with the thermoplastic resin. it's also possible that the were in a hurry when they did this one. effectively all tulwars are 'marriages'.

i'm more concerned about that diagonal stuff with a surface crack near the hilt on one side, hopefully not covering a crack in the steel. is that a crack in the one side of the cross guard?

Kmaddock · 19th November 2017, 11:27 PM

Hi Kronckew,
The white is paint on the blade thankfully,
Very observant on the crack on the handle, there is a. Slight bit of damage
I purchased Tulwar because of the straight blade as I had none with such a blade shape, I did not realize it was so out of line until I received it today, I do not think it is badly re assembled I reckon it was purposely done, unless hilt was accidently warmed in a fire and the whole thing got out of kilter
I will clean up over next week or so and take better pictures
Cheers
Ken

Jens Nordlunde · 20th November 2017, 11:28 AM

Ken,
My reason for saying so is, that there is a gap between the hilt and the blade. This mostly means that either the hilt or the blade has been changed during the time of use.
I am looking forward to see the whole sword, maybe you have a kirach.

Sajen · 20th November 2017, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Happy cleaning:-)

Indeed, this will be a challenge!

Rick · 20th November 2017, 10:09 PM

It certainly looks like a kirach.
The example I own is a very good thrusting weapon.

Jens Nordlunde · 20th November 2017, 10:35 PM

Yes it looks like a kirach to me as well.

Jim McDougall · 20th November 2017, 11:08 PM

It sure appears compellingly to be a kirach OK.
Not to begin any name game stuff, but I am wondering, could this, or any kirach (straight blade tulwar as I understand) be with 'firangi' blade.
This blade looks remarkably like some 18th century hanger blades usually from Germany, with that same single groove along the back of blade.

19th November 2017, 09:10 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Drop pointed straight bladed tulwar, what purpose? Hi I just got this Tulwar The sharp edge is quiet pronounced falling away from the handle so the sharp edge is in front of the handle. If you drew a line straight from the langets the tip of the blade is 6 inches in front of the handle. The blade is slightly wider towards top 43 mm and 35 mm at the lower part of blade Overall the sword is in rusty but potentially good condition. I am looking forward to cleaning it to see what lies underneath The resin in the handle is v solid so this is the way the blade orientation is meant to be, there is a small river in the handle which is impossible to photograph on the phone Two fullers on the back of the blade on both sides. I am confident enough the rust is just surface So does anyone know what is this type of Tulwar and any idea of why this shift from the norm blade wise I will take better outside pictures when it’s day time From some searching I believe this weapon is a kirach, so all I need to know now is what is this weapon specifically for and any idea of age Regards Ke n Attached Images Last edited by Kmaddock; 19th November 2017 at 10:29 PM.

19th November 2017, 10:30 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ken, It is hard to judge the sword when you only show part of it. On the secpnd picture it seems as if the blade and the hilt does not fit. If this is so, it could meand that either the hilt or the blade have been added at a later date. Happy cleaning:-)

19th November 2017, 10:57 PM	#3
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks Jens I will take better pictures tomorrow How do you mean the blade and hilt do not fit, can I ask what you see? There is a good bit of resin holding the blade to the hilt so if it is a marriage it is an old one. I’ll post pictures Regards Ken

19th November 2017, 11:13 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,183	the tulwar hilt pommel disk is designed to keep you from bending your wrist, forcing a close in slicing style of attack. someone may have 'adjusted' this one to let him have a bit more leeway. british raj era sepoy armouries were supposed to have separated the blades and hilts during peaceful periods, to protect against spur of the moment mutinies. in case of war, the hilts and blades were reunited with the thermoplastic resin. it's also possible that the were in a hurry when they did this one. effectively all tulwars are 'marriages'. i'm more concerned about that diagonal stuff with a surface crack near the hilt on one side, hopefully not covering a crack in the steel. is that a crack in the one side of the cross guard?

19th November 2017, 11:27 PM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi Kronckew, The white is paint on the blade thankfully, Very observant on the crack on the handle, there is a. Slight bit of damage I purchased Tulwar because of the straight blade as I had none with such a blade shape, I did not realize it was so out of line until I received it today, I do not think it is badly re assembled I reckon it was purposely done, unless hilt was accidently warmed in a fire and the whole thing got out of kilter I will clean up over next week or so and take better pictures Cheers Ken

20th November 2017, 11:28 AM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ken, My reason for saying so is, that there is a gap between the hilt and the blade. This mostly means that either the hilt or the blade has been changed during the time of use. I am looking forward to see the whole sword, maybe you have a kirach.

20th November 2017, 10:09 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	It certainly looks like a kirach. The example I own is a very good thrusting weapon.

20th November 2017, 10:35 PM	#9
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Yes it looks like a kirach to me as well.

20th November 2017, 11:08 PM	#10
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	It sure appears compellingly to be a kirach OK. Not to begin any name game stuff, but I am wondering, could this, or any kirach (straight blade tulwar as I understand) be with 'firangi' blade. This blade looks remarkably like some 18th century hanger blades usually from Germany, with that same single groove along the back of blade.