Brass Hilted Saber---Indian? Egyptian?

Jim McDougall · 3rd February 2008, 05:29 AM

Excellent call Tim! This definitely looks like what is called by Wagner ("Cut and Thrust Weapons") a British colonial sabre, though the example shown is of iron. Years ago there was a small book titled I believe "Swords in Colour" authored by Wilkinson-Latham if I recall. In the short chapter describing the swords of India, there was a listing of swords selected by various Indian native regiments. Some selected the tulwar, and some of these were brass, other of iron hilt, and many units close the so called 'gothic' style hilt, which was basically taken from the British cavalry patterns of 1821 for troopers, 1822 for officers.
These were produced by British outfitters for these regiments into the early 20th century, and in the 1880's some units still used sabres of style used in Napoleonic period.
I think the characters incised in the hilt will probably prove to be of Indian origin, and most likely of the Northwest Frontier regions, just as you have suggested.

You've really been hittin' the jackpot lately Stuart!

All the best,
Jim

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3rd February 2008, 05:29 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Excellent call Tim! This definitely looks like what is called by Wagner ("Cut and Thrust Weapons") a British colonial sabre, though the example shown is of iron. Years ago there was a small book titled I believe "Swords in Colour" authored by Wilkinson-Latham if I recall. In the short chapter describing the swords of India, there was a listing of swords selected by various Indian native regiments. Some selected the tulwar, and some of these were brass, other of iron hilt, and many units close the so called 'gothic' style hilt, which was basically taken from the British cavalry patterns of 1821 for troopers, 1822 for officers. These were produced by British outfitters for these regiments into the early 20th century, and in the 1880's some units still used sabres of style used in Napoleonic period. I think the characters incised in the hilt will probably prove to be of Indian origin, and most likely of the Northwest Frontier regions, just as you have suggested. You've really been hittin' the jackpot lately Stuart! All the best, Jim