The Greatest Arms Shop - Something for Everyone.

Andrew · 30th August 2005, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch

I was inspecting the cartouche on the blade of Andrew's "Oldman" dha, and it struck me that it may well be a date written in Burmese numerals. They are very stretched out vertically, but I believe they read 1242 (if I am right, the first numeral should be a left-facing crescent, the second like the letter J without the cross at the top, the third sort of like a 9 but with an open loop, and the fourth again like a J). The Burmese calendar is based on the Chulasakarat Buddhist era, which adds 638 to the Western calendar. So if this is a date, it would be 1880.

It also looks vaguely like the Western date 1751, but I think it more likely is a Burmese date.

Do you have any close-ups of the cartouche, Andrew? I blew up a section of your picture, but it is pretty blurry.

I agree Mark: 1242 Chulasakarat (1880 AD).

B.I · 30th August 2005, 09:10 PM

hi erlikhan,
these were catalogues and so everything was priced.
believe me, you really dont want to go down that road. 1906 prices should remain a thing of the past, as it will only lead to reminiscing and frustration. £30 will buy you all the turkish arms on that one page.

Jens Nordlunde · 30th August 2005, 09:49 PM

What does the catalogue text say about the kora at the bottom, shown on the last picture in mail #2?

Jens

B.I · 30th August 2005, 10:14 PM

hi jens,
i am not surprised you picked this one one, as it is very unusual and i think very early.
he doesnt off much past an overall description. - engraved full length, worn and inlaid with brass at the head. the back is engraved and inlaid with a band of brass. iron hilt, fluted, engraved and inlaid with brass. black leather covered sheath. length 27.75 inches. end width 3.25 inches. a 'very old specimen'.

he does list another, vitually identical a few years later, but without a scabbard (unless its the same one and he lost the scabbard :-)

Mark · 30th August 2005, 11:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

I agree Mark: 1242 Chulasakarat (1880 AD).

Yes, it is very clear in the close-up. I just noticed that there also is a numeral 2 stamped or engraved in the blade near the forte, and its almost identical in size and shape to the second 2 in the cartouche. This is such an interesting sword.

zalmoxis · 2nd September 2005, 01:14 AM

What about this wall: The Ward collection 19th century, now at Smithsonian.

zalmoxis · 2nd September 2005, 01:18 AM

The next room.

BluErf · 3rd September 2005, 02:19 AM

Oh my goodness... visual... overload...

VANDOO · 3rd September 2005, 05:53 AM

THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF I LOVE AND CAN DAY DREAM ABOUT ANYONE HAVE MORE PICTURES? PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A COOLEST ROOM DISPLAY CONTEST.HOW COOL WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO HAVE A FINE COLLECTION DISPLAYED LIKE THAT. MY EFFORTS PALE BY COMPARISON.
I WONDER IF THE SMITHSONIAN HAS ANY OF THE PROVENANCE AND STORYS THAT WENT WITH THE COLLECTION OR JUST A LOT OF STORED STUFF WITH TAGS THAT ARE UNREADABLE OR CRUMBELING TO DUST DUE TO ACID IN THE PAPER. I HAVE SEEN SOME COPYS OF PAGES FROM THE OLDMANS CATALOGS BUT DON'T OWN ANY AS I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE BUT I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED LOOKING THRU THE OLD ARMS CATALOGS. SOME ARE BETTER AT IDENTIFING THE THINGS IN THEM THAN OTHERS I WONDER HOW ACCURATE OLDMANS, BANNERMAN AND SOME OF THE LARGER OLDER ONES WERE?.

John · 3rd September 2005, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF I LOVE AND CAN DAY DREAM ABOUT ANYONE HAVE MORE PICTURES? PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A COOLEST ROOM DISPLAY CONTEST.HOW COOL WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO HAVE A FINE COLLECTION DISPLAYED LIKE THAT. MY EFFORTS PALE BY COMPARISON.

Quite frankly Barry, the first images that came to mind upon seeing the first Oldman pictures were your displays. Quite comparable.

I find the Ward collection overwhelming.

B.I · 3rd September 2005, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A COOLEST ROOM DISPLAY CONTEST.

i think this is a great idea. the best wall display, including private and museums. please start the post (your idea) although i think the ward collection would be very hard to beat.
also, not that i'm competative, but would get the african/south east asian/islamic-indian members 'fighting' in one post

however, could be a lot of effort and posts, only to have zalmoxis as the winner anyway.

2nd September 2005, 01:14 AM	#6
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	An impresive wall. What about this wall: The Ward collection 19th century, now at Smithsonian. Attached Images

2nd September 2005, 01:18 AM	#7
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	There is more.... The next room. Attached Images

30th August 2005, 09:10 PM	#2
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	hi erlikhan, these were catalogues and so everything was priced. believe me, you really dont want to go down that road. 1906 prices should remain a thing of the past, as it will only lead to reminiscing and frustration. £30 will buy you all the turkish arms on that one page.

30th August 2005, 09:49 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	What does the catalogue text say about the kora at the bottom, shown on the last picture in mail #2? Jens

30th August 2005, 10:14 PM	#4
B.I Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 485	hi jens, i am not surprised you picked this one one, as it is very unusual and i think very early. he doesnt off much past an overall description. - engraved full length, worn and inlaid with brass at the head. the back is engraved and inlaid with a band of brass. iron hilt, fluted, engraved and inlaid with brass. black leather covered sheath. length 27.75 inches. end width 3.25 inches. a 'very old specimen'. he does list another, vitually identical a few years later, but without a scabbard (unless its the same one and he lost the scabbard :-)

3rd September 2005, 02:19 AM	#8
BluErf Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Singapore Posts: 1,180	Oh my goodness... visual... overload...

3rd September 2005, 05:53 AM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	THIS IS THE KIND OF STUFF I LOVE AND CAN DAY DREAM ABOUT ANYONE HAVE MORE PICTURES? PERHAPS WE CAN HAVE A COOLEST ROOM DISPLAY CONTEST.HOW COOL WOULD IT HAVE BEEN TO HAVE A FINE COLLECTION DISPLAYED LIKE THAT. MY EFFORTS PALE BY COMPARISON. I WONDER IF THE SMITHSONIAN HAS ANY OF THE PROVENANCE AND STORYS THAT WENT WITH THE COLLECTION OR JUST A LOT OF STORED STUFF WITH TAGS THAT ARE UNREADABLE OR CRUMBELING TO DUST DUE TO ACID IN THE PAPER. I HAVE SEEN SOME COPYS OF PAGES FROM THE OLDMANS CATALOGS BUT DON'T OWN ANY AS I UNDERSTAND THEY ARE VERY EXPENSIVE BUT I HAVE ALWAYS ENJOYED LOOKING THRU THE OLD ARMS CATALOGS. SOME ARE BETTER AT IDENTIFING THE THINGS IN THEM THAN OTHERS I WONDER HOW ACCURATE OLDMANS, BANNERMAN AND SOME OF THE LARGER OLDER ONES WERE?.