Tulwar hilt question.

Ian · 29th September 2015, 08:17 AM

I vote for recent manufacture. There are some good reproductions coming out of Rajasthan these days and they are obviously working from antique models. It can be hard to tell new from old in online pictures, but the pattern of the steel does not look like wootz to me--more like pattern welded--which makes me think it is a recent reproduction. The gold work is well preserved (usually something is missing here and there), and not of the highest quality.

That's the best I can do from pictures. Really need to have these in hand to get a good idea of age.

Ian.

29th September 2015, 08:17 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	I vote for recent manufacture. There are some good reproductions coming out of Rajasthan these days and they are obviously working from antique models. It can be hard to tell new from old in online pictures, but the pattern of the steel does not look like wootz to me--more like pattern welded--which makes me think it is a recent reproduction. The gold work is well preserved (usually something is missing here and there), and not of the highest quality. That's the best I can do from pictures. Really need to have these in hand to get a good idea of age. Ian.