Pair of dha

[Ian]

Thanks for all your responses.

I did not wish to bias earlier discussion with my own thoughts about these, which are in line with all the comments so far.

I agree that these are definitely Burman in style and from the British colonial period (the Western numerals being a dead giveaway IMO, and the time period is correct). Also agree that these show evidence of machine-assisted production, and that they appear very functional as weapons. The decorations do suggest weapons rather than tools.

A question for each of you, and anyone else who can shed some light. The round cross-sectioned hilts on these swords have three segments. The metal ends have some tapering at their extremities and the central wooden portion is "swollen" in comparison. This "fat middle" style differs from other Burmese hilts, such as those of the Kachin (which are fairly uniform in thickness) and many Shan examples. I'm wondering if there is a particular region to which this hilt can be traced. I've searched through my records and references and have some notions, but nothing firm. Any ideas?

Ian.