What Is This

Ron Anderson · 9th October 2010, 06:08 AM

I suspect I have the answer. It's a defensive weapon. It's not designed to kill, but to deter.

And the reason may be religious. In a land that believes in karma, killing is the ultimate no-no.

Maybe this is carried by people with religious convictions. It may be a woman's self-defense tool.

Not all weapons are designed to inflict fatality. I recently posted an aboriginal weapon that was only designed to wound (see Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator thread).

Also, if memory serves me well, I think there are a multitude of Indian weapons that are designed to deter rather than kill. I think of Tiger's Claws, in particular.

Perhaps others more knowledgeable in this area can expand.

That's what I think, anyway. It's a defensive weapon. Carried by people who don't want to kill potential attackers.

VANDOO · 9th October 2010, 06:47 AM

OOPS!!

THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA. I HAVE SEEN SIMULAR METALWORK ON TIGER SKULL SMOKING SETS MADE IN INDIA IN THE PAST WHEN TIGERS WERE NOT PROTECTED.

broadaxe · 9th October 2010, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

OOPS!!

THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA.

My thoughts, too.
If you look again upon the blades you'll see that at first glance they appear as Moroccan Kumiyah style, but actualy I think they were made to accomodate this special dagger, as one is a mirror-image of the other, each one pose a sharp longer edge outside.

Nesher? This is 15 minutes driving from where I live... didn't realise there is a source for interesting things

Gavin Nugent · 9th October 2010, 10:30 AM

Nice example of unique craftsmanship.

My thoughts, I feel it is supposed to appear as a powder horn but conceals a blade.

Gav

Ron Anderson · 9th October 2010, 11:38 AM

My fakir's horns, just for the record.

I believe these may be blackbuck. But not particularly black nonetheless.

David · 9th October 2010, 08:28 PM

Beautiful, fascinating and most certainly deadly if properly applied.

archer · 9th October 2010, 11:53 PM

Ron,
I vote defensive, too. Your Fakirs horns are likely from the same species.
I was joking about the back scratchers, I'll be sure to add a smiley next time.

Broad axe, I'm still leaning toward Kumyah for blade shape, all Indian double Bichwas I can find have a diamond profiles. The closest design comparisons are Moroccan influenced. Even their Henna art is similar.

The patterns/symbols on the horn hilt surely have a meaning other than just a free form design. The designs overall don't depict any flowers a commonly seen in Indian works.

Whoever, worked out the blade to natural horn adjustments alone has my admiration.

Thank you all for your interest and comments,
Steve

9th October 2010, 10:30 AM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Nice Nice example of unique craftsmanship. My thoughts, I feel it is supposed to appear as a powder horn but conceals a blade. Gav

9th October 2010, 11:38 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	My fakir's horns, just for the record. I believe these may be blackbuck. But not particularly black nonetheless. Attached Images

9th October 2010, 11:53 PM	#7
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Response Ron, I vote defensive, too. Your Fakirs horns are likely from the same species. I was joking about the back scratchers, I'll be sure to add a smiley next time. Broad axe, I'm still leaning toward Kumyah for blade shape, all Indian double Bichwas I can find have a diamond profiles. The closest design comparisons are Moroccan influenced. Even their Henna art is similar. The patterns/symbols on the horn hilt surely have a meaning other than just a free form design. The designs overall don't depict any flowers a commonly seen in Indian works. Whoever, worked out the blade to natural horn adjustments alone has my admiration. Thank you all for your interest and comments, Steve

9th October 2010, 06:08 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	I suspect I have the answer. It's a defensive weapon. It's not designed to kill, but to deter. And the reason may be religious. In a land that believes in karma, killing is the ultimate no-no. Maybe this is carried by people with religious convictions. It may be a woman's self-defense tool. Not all weapons are designed to inflict fatality. I recently posted an aboriginal weapon that was only designed to wound (see Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator thread). Also, if memory serves me well, I think there are a multitude of Indian weapons that are designed to deter rather than kill. I think of Tiger's Claws, in particular. Perhaps others more knowledgeable in this area can expand. That's what I think, anyway. It's a defensive weapon. Carried by people who don't want to kill potential attackers.

9th October 2010, 06:47 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	OOPS!! THESE HORNS ARE NOT FROM A BLACKBUCK THEY COULD BE FROM ANOTHER IN THE ANTELOPE FAMILY BUT ARE MORE LIKELY FROM THE GAZELLE FAMILY. A POSSIBILITY IS THE INDIAN GAZELL (GAZELLA BENNETTII) BUT THERE ARE SEVERAL POSSIBILITYS THE BLACKBUCK HAS A SPIRAL HORN LIKE THE KUDU SO IS ELIMINATED. THE HORNS COULD HAVE COME FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY AND NOT INDIA AND COULD BE FROM THE MIDDLE EAST OR AFRICA. I HAVE SEEN SIMULAR METALWORK ON TIGER SKULL SMOKING SETS MADE IN INDIA IN THE PAST WHEN TIGERS WERE NOT PROTECTED.

9th October 2010, 08:28 PM	#6
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	Beautiful, fascinating and most certainly deadly if properly applied.