A Dha of unkown origin

Ian · 11th February 2021, 06:39 AM

I think I have a match for the "... HEAD BRAND" "MADE IN CHINA" disk that covers the mouth of the scabbard.

The following pictures are of vintage "TIGER HEAD BRAND" flashlights. Note the butt cap of this flashlight and the logo shown there. Looks very similar to your disk to me. I have not found any online history of the company making these flashlights. The flashlight style (in chromed tin) is probably post-Chinese Revolution, maybe 1950-1970. There are online estimates of the age of these "vintage" flashlights that cover that period.

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Ren Ren · 11th February 2021, 08:42 PM

My applause! This is a very accurate and elegant investigation.

Ren Ren · 11th February 2021, 08:57 PM

Dao of the Ede people (Central Vietnam) from the Branly Museum.

Ian · 12th February 2021, 12:09 PM

Hi Ren Ren,

The Ede (aka Rhade, Rade, Dega, Degar) are an interesting people. The largest of Vietnam's ethnic minorities, they are commonly considered in the broad group of Montagnard tribes people. Widely recruited by South Vietnam and its U.S. allies in the fight against North Vietnam, there is a substantial population of Ede in the USA today.

The typical sword of the Montagnard was either a long-hilted version with a wide, acutely angled tip or a saber of a style indistinguishable from a common Lao daab. Indeed the Montagnard generally obtained the latter via trade with Lao merchants or smiths.

The sword you show is most likely one of those obtained by the Ede from a Lao source. Whether one calls it an Ede dao or a Lao daab is a matter of choice. It is possible that the sword that is the original topic of this thread found its way to Vietnam and became adorned with a French coin as a result.

Ian

11th February 2021, 06:39 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,734	I think I have a match for the "... HEAD BRAND" "MADE IN CHINA" disk that covers the mouth of the scabbard. The following pictures are of vintage "TIGER HEAD BRAND" flashlights. Note the butt cap of this flashlight and the logo shown there. Looks very similar to your disk to me. I have not found any online history of the company making these flashlights. The flashlight style (in chromed tin) is probably post-Chinese Revolution, maybe 1950-1970. There are online estimates of the age of these "vintage" flashlights that cover that period. . Attached Images

11th February 2021, 08:57 PM	#3
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	Dao of the Ede people (Central Vietnam) from the Branly Museum. Attached Images

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11th February 2021, 08:42 PM	#2
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 379	My applause! This is a very accurate and elegant investigation.

12th February 2021, 12:09 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,734	Hi Ren Ren, The Ede (aka Rhade, Rade, Dega, Degar) are an interesting people. The largest of Vietnam's ethnic minorities, they are commonly considered in the broad group of Montagnard tribes people. Widely recruited by South Vietnam and its U.S. allies in the fight against North Vietnam, there is a substantial population of Ede in the USA today. The typical sword of the Montagnard was either a long-hilted version with a wide, acutely angled tip or a saber of a style indistinguishable from a common Lao daab. Indeed the Montagnard generally obtained the latter via trade with Lao merchants or smiths. The sword you show is most likely one of those obtained by the Ede from a Lao source. Whether one calls it an Ede dao or a Lao daab is a matter of choice. It is possible that the sword that is the original topic of this thread found its way to Vietnam and became adorned with a French coin as a result. Ian