A newly aquired Kirach

Rick · 15th January 2012, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dralin23

hi rick and stan,
here are 2 kirach swords from my collection.
the first one is an phantastic piece of art. it is an short sword with an light blade. the blade is only 680mm (26,75in) the lenght over all is 88cm(34,5in)
the wight is only 802 gr.
original was the the hilt silverplated.
the most important feature is, these phantastic ironwork at the blade. these pattern was cutting in to the blade.
both swords are from the same size. i think these swors was made not for for caverlery man than for the use from the back from an horse are these swords to short.

This one (first) is very interesting; do you suppose the blade was reshaped ?
The spine seems straight rather than having a gentle downward curve as the other examples do .

Jens Nordlunde · 15th January 2012, 05:57 PM

Hi Rick,

Long time no hear, but that is my fault – I know. I have been busy writing on some articles, now that the Bundi katar article has been published, I research the age of the katar, and this is almost finished. Then comes the research for a half written article about a tulwar I have, which I can pin point, not only to a certain state, but also to a state within a state. All very interesting, but also very time consuming.

The kirach hilt is a lovely one, and as old as the blade. The makara and the snake are unusual, as is the form of the disc. At the inside of the disc you can see a flower.
Sorry for the two pictures - I must be getting old

.

Jens

dralin23 · 15th January 2012, 06:22 PM

hi rick,
your question is intresting and i´m not sure if these sword was reshaped or not. my first intention is that these sword is original in the shape, but it is also truely possible that these sword was an khanda. but i think it was made as an kirach, than the tip is deeper than the beginn from the cutting edge before the hilt and if someone have reshaped these swordblade than must be the blade was very wide at the tip.

Rick · 15th January 2012, 06:43 PM

Hi Jens, here's to getting older; it beats the alternative .

I'm glad to hear you are putting your knowledge to paper .
Could you hazard a guess as to the area that hilt came from ?

Stefan, the chiseling on that blade is marvelous .

Jens Nordlunde · 15th January 2012, 07:21 PM

Hi Rick,
NNW 17th century.
As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting.
I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

Rick · 16th January 2012, 03:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Hi Rick,
NNW 17th century.
As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting.
I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

Jens, I see a resemblance to the cupped disc of the pulwar in that hilt .
What do the flattened quillons indicate; non Afghan origin ?

I would think that my example would be a bit too short for horseback use; more for close in work .

Jens Nordlunde · 16th January 2012, 05:27 PM

Rick,
Yes, you are right I should have written Afghanistan/NNW - and Afghanistan the most likely place of origin.
Jens

Rick · 16th January 2012, 05:57 PM

I find the variety of hilts mounted to these blades quite interesting .

It would seem that they come from different areas so the kirach does not appear to be unique to any particular user group .

Would that be a safe conclusion to draw ?

15th January 2012, 05:57 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Rick, Long time no hear, but that is my fault – I know. I have been busy writing on some articles, now that the Bundi katar article has been published, I research the age of the katar, and this is almost finished. Then comes the research for a half written article about a tulwar I have, which I can pin point, not only to a certain state, but also to a state within a state. All very interesting, but also very time consuming. The kirach hilt is a lovely one, and as old as the blade. The makara and the snake are unusual, as is the form of the disc. At the inside of the disc you can see a flower. Sorry for the two pictures - I must be getting old . Jens Attached Images

15th January 2012, 06:22 PM	#3
dralin23 Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 214	the first kirach hi rick, your question is intresting and i´m not sure if these sword was reshaped or not. my first intention is that these sword is original in the shape, but it is also truely possible that these sword was an khanda. but i think it was made as an kirach, than the tip is deeper than the beginn from the cutting edge before the hilt and if someone have reshaped these swordblade than must be the blade was very wide at the tip.

15th January 2012, 06:43 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Hi Jens, here's to getting older; it beats the alternative . I'm glad to hear you are putting your knowledge to paper . Could you hazard a guess as to the area that hilt came from ? Stefan, the chiseling on that blade is marvelous .

15th January 2012, 07:21 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Rick, NNW 17th century. As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting. I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

16th January 2012, 05:27 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Rick, Yes, you are right I should have written Afghanistan/NNW - and Afghanistan the most likely place of origin. Jens

16th January 2012, 05:57 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	I find the variety of hilts mounted to these blades quite interesting . It would seem that they come from different areas so the kirach does not appear to be unique to any particular user group . Would that be a safe conclusion to draw ?