Cambodian Dhas

Andrew · 31st July 2007, 09:44 PM

Ariel generously sent me the odd blade with the flamboyant prong (thanks!

). I've spent a good bit of time handling and examining it. This is, in my opinion, a Thai weapon.

This thing has significant age. The patina is thick, black and stable. I am convinced this is the blade from a pole-weapon later mounted as a sword. The blade itself has what appears to be a spike tang typical for weapons of the region, along with a steel collar. I wouldn't be suprised if a guard were present at some point in its history. The wooden handle is newer than the blade and collar, and has been hand-fit with an old brass shell casing as a pommel.

The spine is thick at the forte (1/2"), and demonstrates a gradual, even distal taper to the tip. The blade is simple, sturdy and shows signs of differential hardening along the edge within the patina. It is, also, quite blade heavy, with the POB approximately 10" before the handle. The edge is remarkably sharp, with an "apple-seed" geometry. Striking in that there is clear evidence of extensive use and wear, but no real recent signs of sharpening.

Overall, I think this is a serious weapon, albeit with very little ornamentation or decoration. Perfect for lopping off limbs, or fighting from atop an elephant.

I hope to remount it with an appropriate pole.

PUFF · 23rd August 2007, 02:28 PM

I wish, I can take a pic of those in the museum. But, still, have no chance.

Andrew · 24th August 2007, 06:39 PM

Thanks, Puff. Example #3 looks very similar, with the flamboyant prong at the base of the blade.

Dan Wilke was able to sneak some photos of the Royal Museum's collection and shared them with us on this thread:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=thai+museum

In one of the last photos, he was showing some keris, but you can see some mounted pole-arms below it, including a spear and the tops of two blades that look very similar to the one we're discussing.

Andrew

PUFF · 27th August 2007, 05:37 AM

Not exactly, those two pieces are Ngaw (pole-blade/Naginata style)

ariel · 29th August 2007, 09:15 AM

Sorry for bumping it up, but I really want some opinions on the Dha. I cannot remember any Japanese tsuba of such construction and I also would like to know what do you think of the blade. Age, geographical origin etc

PUFF · 29th August 2007, 11:51 AM

I heard of Sanmai type from http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/tsuba/sanmai.htm

ariel · 29th August 2007, 11:20 PM

Many thanks! I never heard of this type...
So, the tsuba might easily be Japanese.
But what about the blade? I certainly do not wish to break the handle in search of the tang ( potentially, non-existing already...)

31st July 2007, 09:44 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Ariel generously sent me the odd blade with the flamboyant prong (thanks! ). I've spent a good bit of time handling and examining it. This is, in my opinion, a Thai weapon. This thing has significant age. The patina is thick, black and stable. I am convinced this is the blade from a pole-weapon later mounted as a sword. The blade itself has what appears to be a spike tang typical for weapons of the region, along with a steel collar. I wouldn't be suprised if a guard were present at some point in its history. The wooden handle is newer than the blade and collar, and has been hand-fit with an old brass shell casing as a pommel. The spine is thick at the forte (1/2"), and demonstrates a gradual, even distal taper to the tip. The blade is simple, sturdy and shows signs of differential hardening along the edge within the patina. It is, also, quite blade heavy, with the POB approximately 10" before the handle. The edge is remarkably sharp, with an "apple-seed" geometry. Striking in that there is clear evidence of extensive use and wear, but no real recent signs of sharpening. Overall, I think this is a serious weapon, albeit with very little ornamentation or decoration. Perfect for lopping off limbs, or fighting from atop an elephant. I hope to remount it with an appropriate pole.

23rd August 2007, 02:28 PM	#2
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	I wish, I can take a pic of those in the museum. But, still, have no chance.

24th August 2007, 06:39 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Thanks, Puff. Example #3 looks very similar, with the flamboyant prong at the base of the blade. Dan Wilke was able to sneak some photos of the Royal Museum's collection and shared them with us on this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=thai+museum In one of the last photos, he was showing some keris, but you can see some mounted pole-arms below it, including a spear and the tops of two blades that look very similar to the one we're discussing. Andrew

27th August 2007, 05:37 AM	#4
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	Not exactly, those two pieces are Ngaw (pole-blade/Naginata style)

29th August 2007, 09:15 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Sorry for bumping it up, but I really want some opinions on the Dha. I cannot remember any Japanese tsuba of such construction and I also would like to know what do you think of the blade. Age, geographical origin etc

29th August 2007, 11:51 AM	#6
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	I heard of Sanmai type from http://www.geocities.com/alchemyst/tsuba/sanmai.htm

29th August 2007, 11:20 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Many thanks! I never heard of this type... So, the tsuba might easily be Japanese. But what about the blade? I certainly do not wish to break the handle in search of the tang ( potentially, non-existing already...)