Large Silver Dha/Daab/Darb for Comment

Andrew · 11th March 2011, 04:55 PM

Interesting sword, particularly with the provenance. Looks like the blade is laminated, so I'm inclined to believe this is of higher quality than substantially similar examples I've seen.

I agree this is likely of northern Thai manufacture (perhaps even by a Laotian maker). The repousse work is interesting, but (in my personal opinion only) not particularly well executed.

Mid-late 20th manufacture (contemporary to the time given as a gift). By that time, such swords were not really in regular use as weapons or regalia in urban, sophisticated circles, so I agree a more typical gift would be a western-style saber with Thai royal motifs.

Not a "tourist" weapon, but not an antique either. Probably manufactured specifically to be given as a royal gift.

Best,
Andrew

laEspadaAncha · 11th March 2011, 06:00 PM

Hi Andrew,

Thank you for chiming in.

One point of curiosity - the blade appears older than the fittings, and shows signs of use (not grandchild "abuse," mind you, but use)... Was it common to re-mount older blades as was commonly done with some keris? Also, if it had been made as a gift to present to the admiral, wouldn't one expect to see a commemorative inscription of some sort?

Regards,

Chris

ETA a photo of the blade tip below:

Andrew · 11th March 2011, 10:57 PM

Hi Chris. Always difficult to determine when/how such damage as you highlight above appeared. Given that the nicks and dings are at the approximate center of percussion (where one would expect a skilled swordsman to be placing cuts), they may well be caused by combat or training.

The only edge damage I've really ever been comfortable attributing to edge parrying or combat has been on a few swords with obvious repairs, where I could literally see tiny hammer marks, etc.

Otherwise, who knows what fiend (grandchild?

) played Dragon Slayer in the backyard...

And, yes, I have seen fine older blades of this type remounted. The general shape of that blade is consistant with later Thai swords, but the obvious laminate construction may well indicate it is older than the mounts, as *most* later blades I've handled are not laminated.

Inscriptions? Sometimes.

Andrew

11th March 2011, 06:00 PM	#2
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Andrew, Thank you for chiming in. One point of curiosity - the blade appears older than the fittings, and shows signs of use (not grandchild "abuse," mind you, but use)... Was it common to re-mount older blades as was commonly done with some keris? Also, if it had been made as a gift to present to the admiral, wouldn't one expect to see a commemorative inscription of some sort? Regards, Chris ETA a photo of the blade tip below: Last edited by laEspadaAncha; 11th March 2011 at 06:50 PM. Reason: ETA Photo

11th March 2011, 04:55 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Interesting sword, particularly with the provenance. Looks like the blade is laminated, so I'm inclined to believe this is of higher quality than substantially similar examples I've seen. I agree this is likely of northern Thai manufacture (perhaps even by a Laotian maker). The repousse work is interesting, but (in my personal opinion only) not particularly well executed. Mid-late 20th manufacture (contemporary to the time given as a gift). By that time, such swords were not really in regular use as weapons or regalia in urban, sophisticated circles, so I agree a more typical gift would be a western-style saber with Thai royal motifs. Not a "tourist" weapon, but not an antique either. Probably manufactured specifically to be given as a royal gift. Best, Andrew

11th March 2011, 10:57 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Hi Chris. Always difficult to determine when/how such damage as you highlight above appeared. Given that the nicks and dings are at the approximate center of percussion (where one would expect a skilled swordsman to be placing cuts), they may well be caused by combat or training. The only edge damage I've really ever been comfortable attributing to edge parrying or combat has been on a few swords with obvious repairs, where I could literally see tiny hammer marks, etc. Otherwise, who knows what fiend (grandchild? ) played Dragon Slayer in the backyard... And, yes, I have seen fine older blades of this type remounted. The general shape of that blade is consistant with later Thai swords, but the obvious laminate construction may well indicate it is older than the mounts, as most later blades I've handled are not laminated. Inscriptions? Sometimes. Andrew