a recent montagnard dha i picked up

Andrew · 1st September 2010, 05:19 AM

I believe this is a recently made (or cobbled-together) sword.

Although it is difficult to glean much from the photos, the blade appears to be well made and may be older than the handle, scabbard and baldric. However, it is a common style still manufactured in modern Aranyik, and I would estimate it to be no older than second half of the 20th century.

The "pommel" plug is something I've never seen before and, frankly, strikes me as a meaningless addition. Some previous owner did not like the look of the typical hole/concavity at the distal end of the handle, and decided it needed to be plugged. As Philip notes, it makes no sense whatsoever.

The handle is either a replacement, or has otherwise been altered. The stonework was either done to increase the item's "curb appeal", or a prior owner decorated it for his own pleasure. I have owned several daab and dha decorated with semi-precious stones (low-grade rubies and, in one case, peridots), but never the type seen here.

Finally, I would not really consider this to be a "Montagnard" sword. Could it have been made for or used by a member of that group of "hill tribes"? Certainly. However, this is a Thai blade, similar in style to the ubiquitous swords brought back with US servicemen from the Vietnam War, as mentioned by Philip.

Thank you for sharing this with us.

carlitobrigante · 1st September 2010, 03:07 PM

Thanks for the opinion chaps. Very unusual thing for sure, yep i agree looks like that brass plug was stuck in by a previous owner...you know what though i actually kinda like it, fits in well with the rest of the fittings

for the price i paid im very happy with it. im getting a little collection of dha going now, these things are addictive :-)

Andrew · 1st September 2010, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlitobrigante

Thanks for the opinion chaps. Very unusual thing for sure, yep i agree looks like that brass plug was stuck in by a previous owner...you know what though i actually kinda like it, fits in well with the rest of the fittings

for the price i paid im very happy with it. im getting a little collection of dha going now, these things are addictive :-)

One of the best things about dha (for me, anyway) is, indeed, the variety of styles, decoration, quality and execution. We see genuine examples that range from crude to spectacular. Some of the most interesting dha I've handled have recycled blades with personalized and modified fittings.

Welcome to the "dhafia".

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 06:13 PM

I want to take a step back from the cliff edge. I know we can all be a little trigger happy when we see something we have not seen before, bang bang what ever it is its dead now

. However the use of coral and turquoise is very common in areas bordering the lands that use dha. All along the Himalayas, Tibet , China. I believe this little box with enamels is from the Burma/China/Thai area. I am not trying to rock the boat or challenge oppinion, I just feel this might be to us an oddity that could well do with more research.

Tim Simmons · 1st September 2010, 07:21 PM

I would like to see much better clear pictures to start with. Close ups. This part looks gilded? Less subject to wear. Does the cut hole for the blade look bodgy? The parts do fit very well. Could they have been made for the handle? reminds me of my bicycle parts handle Dha? I bet this is 1940s.

Andrew · 1st September 2010, 09:12 PM

Hi Tim. I probably wasn't clear about my thoughts on the stones--I've just never seen this type of work before on a dha. Didn't mean to insinuate this couldn't be local work, just that it was something unfamiliar to me. Were I to see this come to market, I would probably buy it for that very reason.

My primary point is that I believe strongly that the handle (including the decorative stones, wire work and "pommel plug") are later additions to an older blade. This isn't meant to impute some nefarious or fraudulent intent upon prior owners. Quite the contrary--many, many dha blades exhibit such modifications, particularly good quality blades.

1940's? Perhaps the blade.

carlitobrigante · 1st September 2010, 10:50 PM

thanks for the input Gents. Will try and come up with some better pics, the camera isnt the greatest though. will post some more asap

1st September 2010, 06:13 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,866	I want to take a step back from the cliff edge. I know we can all be a little trigger happy when we see something we have not seen before, bang bang what ever it is its dead now . However the use of coral and turquoise is very common in areas bordering the lands that use dha. All along the Himalayas, Tibet , China. I believe this little box with enamels is from the Burma/China/Thai area. I am not trying to rock the boat or challenge oppinion, I just feel this might be to us an oddity that could well do with more research. Attached Images

1st September 2010, 07:21 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,866	I would like to see much better clear pictures to start with. Close ups. This part looks gilded? Less subject to wear. Does the cut hole for the blade look bodgy? The parts do fit very well. Could they have been made for the handle? reminds me of my bicycle parts handle Dha? I bet this is 1940s. Attached Images

1st September 2010, 05:19 AM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I believe this is a recently made (or cobbled-together) sword. Although it is difficult to glean much from the photos, the blade appears to be well made and may be older than the handle, scabbard and baldric. However, it is a common style still manufactured in modern Aranyik, and I would estimate it to be no older than second half of the 20th century. The "pommel" plug is something I've never seen before and, frankly, strikes me as a meaningless addition. Some previous owner did not like the look of the typical hole/concavity at the distal end of the handle, and decided it needed to be plugged. As Philip notes, it makes no sense whatsoever. The handle is either a replacement, or has otherwise been altered. The stonework was either done to increase the item's "curb appeal", or a prior owner decorated it for his own pleasure. I have owned several daab and dha decorated with semi-precious stones (low-grade rubies and, in one case, peridots), but never the type seen here. Finally, I would not really consider this to be a "Montagnard" sword. Could it have been made for or used by a member of that group of "hill tribes"? Certainly. However, this is a Thai blade, similar in style to the ubiquitous swords brought back with US servicemen from the Vietnam War, as mentioned by Philip. Thank you for sharing this with us.

1st September 2010, 03:07 PM	#2
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	Thanks for the opinion chaps. Very unusual thing for sure, yep i agree looks like that brass plug was stuck in by a previous owner...you know what though i actually kinda like it, fits in well with the rest of the fittings for the price i paid im very happy with it. im getting a little collection of dha going now, these things are addictive :-)

1st September 2010, 09:12 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Hi Tim. I probably wasn't clear about my thoughts on the stones--I've just never seen this type of work before on a dha. Didn't mean to insinuate this couldn't be local work, just that it was something unfamiliar to me. Were I to see this come to market, I would probably buy it for that very reason. My primary point is that I believe strongly that the handle (including the decorative stones, wire work and "pommel plug") are later additions to an older blade. This isn't meant to impute some nefarious or fraudulent intent upon prior owners. Quite the contrary--many, many dha blades exhibit such modifications, particularly good quality blades. 1940's? Perhaps the blade.

1st September 2010, 10:50 PM	#7
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	thanks for the input Gents. Will try and come up with some better pics, the camera isnt the greatest though. will post some more asap