Very long dha

wilked aka Khun Deng · 23rd November 2007, 10:28 AM

Wow is right. those are GREAT pictures! I've never seen or heard of these before (but there on my shopping list now)

Looking at the pictures along with Mark's comment on the one-handed grip, it does look like it's been shortened. Beautiful fit at the hilt scabbard, not so great at the pommel.

As for unsheathing them well that's the nice thing about being CHIEF - you either 1.don't have to or 2. someone does it for you

Dan

PUFF · 24th November 2007, 11:41 AM

Many thanks for the picture... it's Shan (Tai) people who using a kind of very long sword.

However, those Tai warrior may not related to Rakhan (Arracan) chief. It 's not unusual to find one ethnic group 's decoration style on another group 's objects. Many Lanna weapon use Tai decoration style though

I 'm also interested by those guys on the back. The picture res. 's so low that I could not figure out if they are indian or european. Would you mind to show it in higher resolution ?

Ian · 26th November 2007, 06:36 PM

The question of unusually long dha forms also brings to mind the squared-off swords of Assam and neighboring regions. These resemble the Kachin style sword seen in NW Burma and widely copied in other areas, including Thailand.

The Assamese "dha sword" is carried in an open-faced scabbard and the blade is typically more than 30 inches in length.

In the picture below: the top sword (1) is an Assamese "sword dha" (blade length 32 in.); (2) appears to be a transition between the Assamese and Kachin "sword dha" (blade length 26 in.); (3) is an unusual Kachin style "sword dha" that has a lobed guard in the Chinese style (courtesy of Philip Tom; blade length 27.5 in.); and (4) is a curved Kachin style "sword dha" (blade length 25.5 in.).

Each of these is longer than the usual Kachin style "sword dha" with a blade length that averages about 20-22 inches.

And then there is this one from Artzi's site that is truly massive -- massive dha

Ian.

Mark · 26th November 2007, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PUFF

Many thanks for the picture... it's Shan (Tai) people who using a kind of very long sword.

However, those Tai warrior may not related to Rakhan (Arracan) chief. It 's not unusual to find one ethnic group 's decoration style on another group 's objects. Many Lanna weapon use Tai decoration style though

I 'm also interested by those guys on the back. The picture res. 's so low that I could not figure out if they are indian or european. Would you mind to show it in higher resolution ?

I am afraid that is the best that I can do. If you referring to the bearded gentlemen seen over the shoulders of the Tai warriors, those are "native" troops, I believe Sikh.

kahnjar1 · 1st December 2007, 03:21 AM

This has now reached its new home in NZ, and some of the comments above can now be clarified.
The scabbard indeed appears to have been 40" long or maybe even slightly longer as there is an area of shattered wood which does not quite fit together cleanly.
The handle does not appear to have been shortened as the profile of the pommel top matches that of the wood. I would have thought that if it had been cut shorter, the cut would be square across rather than the way it is...........however...............that blade, or the 20" which remains, weighs about a 1 1/4lb (half kilogram), so that would have made the blade a hefty 2 1/2lb, which I would have thought would have been a chore to swing with a one handed grip, especially considering the stature of the burmese race.
The pommel DOES in fact fit correctly, as the gap shown is so that it fits OVER the rayskin grip which is missing.
The blade spine which is scalloped, is 3/8" wide at the hilt, and runs for 11 1/2" before the false edge starts. The blade profile is the same internally right to the end of the scabbard, which would suggest a clipped tip, rather than a tapered one.
Some more pics attached

26th November 2007, 06:36 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Long dha The question of unusually long dha forms also brings to mind the squared-off swords of Assam and neighboring regions. These resemble the Kachin style sword seen in NW Burma and widely copied in other areas, including Thailand. The Assamese "dha sword" is carried in an open-faced scabbard and the blade is typically more than 30 inches in length. In the picture below: the top sword (1) is an Assamese "sword dha" (blade length 32 in.); (2) appears to be a transition between the Assamese and Kachin "sword dha" (blade length 26 in.); (3) is an unusual Kachin style "sword dha" that has a lobed guard in the Chinese style (courtesy of Philip Tom; blade length 27.5 in.); and (4) is a curved Kachin style "sword dha" (blade length 25.5 in.). Each of these is longer than the usual Kachin style "sword dha" with a blade length that averages about 20-22 inches. And then there is this one from Artzi's site that is truly massive -- massive dha Ian.

1st December 2007, 03:21 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,800	This has now reached its new home in NZ, and some of the comments above can now be clarified. The scabbard indeed appears to have been 40" long or maybe even slightly longer as there is an area of shattered wood which does not quite fit together cleanly. The handle does not appear to have been shortened as the profile of the pommel top matches that of the wood. I would have thought that if it had been cut shorter, the cut would be square across rather than the way it is...........however...............that blade, or the 20" which remains, weighs about a 1 1/4lb (half kilogram), so that would have made the blade a hefty 2 1/2lb, which I would have thought would have been a chore to swing with a one handed grip, especially considering the stature of the burmese race. The pommel DOES in fact fit correctly, as the gap shown is so that it fits OVER the rayskin grip which is missing. The blade spine which is scalloped, is 3/8" wide at the hilt, and runs for 11 1/2" before the false edge starts. The blade profile is the same internally right to the end of the scabbard, which would suggest a clipped tip, rather than a tapered one. Some more pics attached Attached Images

23rd November 2007, 10:28 AM	#1
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Wow is right. those are GREAT pictures! I've never seen or heard of these before (but there on my shopping list now) Looking at the pictures along with Mark's comment on the one-handed grip, it does look like it's been shortened. Beautiful fit at the hilt scabbard, not so great at the pommel. As for unsheathing them well that's the nice thing about being CHIEF - you either 1.don't have to or 2. someone does it for you Dan

24th November 2007, 11:41 AM	#2
PUFF Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: 30 miles north of Bangkok, 20 miles south of Ayuthaya, Thailand Posts: 224	Many thanks for the picture... it's Shan (Tai) people who using a kind of very long sword. However, those Tai warrior may not related to Rakhan (Arracan) chief. It 's not unusual to find one ethnic group 's decoration style on another group 's objects. Many Lanna weapon use Tai decoration style though I 'm also interested by those guys on the back. The picture res. 's so low that I could not figure out if they are indian or european. Would you mind to show it in higher resolution ?