Unusual nimcha blade: need help

ariel · 8th April 2018, 03:13 PM

Guys,
Ricasso serves as a differentiating sign only between Indian and Persian Shamshir blades. Many European blades had ricasso and I wonder whether Indians not borrowed the idea of a ricasso from Europe.
I will have to look at my Indian straight- bladed ones.
Thanks to Jens for his gentle hint.
Fernando, did the converging fullers help you?
TVV, the cleaning job has just begun:-) Its wooden handle is dirty, dry and cracked, and has a lot of nasty thin splinters and worm holes. I will have to polish it, otherwise I would not be able to hold it without thick gloves. Then the natural wood color will disappear. Would staining it ( say, dark mahogany) be appropriate? Also, would filling the holes with stainable filler be OK?

ariel · 8th April 2018, 03:18 PM

Kubur,
No worry here about recent manipulations. It is all as original, as the moment it was created.

But I share your doubt about the Indian origin of the blade. I tend to think it is one of the multiple trade European ones and that is exactly why I posted it here.

fernando · 8th April 2018, 07:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

...Fernando, did the converging fullers help you? ...

As i said, just an un-educated guess. One based on sight of some Indian fullering fashion, as seen, for one, in page 105 of Jorge Caravana collection catalogue (Rites of Power), which i assume you have a copy. But probably this is the wrong issue.

-

ariel · 8th April 2018, 07:59 PM

Yes, I do. I even have an identical one:-)
But this is a Tanjore katar commonly attributable to 16 century with a triangular form. One cannot have any other fullering.
We are talking about later swords, don’t we?

Any similar sword examples from 18-9 century?

I am not trying to be stubborn, just want to get to the bottom of it if possible.
I asked an acquaintance of mine who is very good in European swords, but he couldn’t place it.

Could the moderator create a link to the European section of this Forum?

fernando · 8th April 2018, 08:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

...Could the moderator create a link to the European section of this Forum? ...

It may be copied, yes.

thinreadline · 18th April 2018, 11:12 AM

Here is one of my Indian swords with a similar multi fullered straight blade .

fernando · 18th April 2018, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinreadline

Here is one of my Indian swords with a similar multi fullered straight blade .

They looks like being made with a different technique (tool). While yours are the smooth type the ones in Ariel's sword are sharper ... right ?

thinreadline · 19th April 2018, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

They looks like being made with a different technique (tool). While yours are the smooth type the ones in Ariel's sword are sharper ... right ?

I couldnt really say ...

ausjulius · 22nd April 2018, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

They looks like being made with a different technique (tool). While yours are the smooth type the ones in Ariel's sword are sharper ... right ?

they are all made by the same tool a fullering plane.
just on the indian one looks like its be polished to a more rounded surface once fullered.

18th April 2018, 11:12 AM	#6
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Here is one of my Indian swords with a similar multi fullered straight blade . Attached Images

8th April 2018, 03:13 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Guys, Ricasso serves as a differentiating sign only between Indian and Persian Shamshir blades. Many European blades had ricasso and I wonder whether Indians not borrowed the idea of a ricasso from Europe. I will have to look at my Indian straight- bladed ones. Thanks to Jens for his gentle hint. Fernando, did the converging fullers help you? TVV, the cleaning job has just begun:-) Its wooden handle is dirty, dry and cracked, and has a lot of nasty thin splinters and worm holes. I will have to polish it, otherwise I would not be able to hold it without thick gloves. Then the natural wood color will disappear. Would staining it ( say, dark mahogany) be appropriate? Also, would filling the holes with stainable filler be OK?

8th April 2018, 03:18 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Kubur, No worry here about recent manipulations. It is all as original, as the moment it was created. But I share your doubt about the Indian origin of the blade. I tend to think it is one of the multiple trade European ones and that is exactly why I posted it here.

8th April 2018, 07:59 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, I do. I even have an identical one:-) But this is a Tanjore katar commonly attributable to 16 century with a triangular form. One cannot have any other fullering. We are talking about later swords, don’t we? Any similar sword examples from 18-9 century? I am not trying to be stubborn, just want to get to the bottom of it if possible. I asked an acquaintance of mine who is very good in European swords, but he couldn’t place it. Could the moderator create a link to the European section of this Forum?