Guess this Indian sword

[Conogre]

I'm obviously missing the point here, but perhaps it's only in the wording and too subtle for my present frame of mind.
The 2nd also appears to have a "firengi" quality to the hilt, very much in keeping with the blade as an adapted form.
Mike

[Jens Nordlunde]

It is Indian, but from where in India is it? It is a special sword from Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, Deccan.
What is so special about it? The T spine.
What is it called? Sailaba.

Hilt 17 cm.

Blade 65 cm.

18th century

In ‘A Catalogue of Arms and Armour in the State Museum, Hyderabad’, 1975, I found this picture, and found it interesting enough to show. Had I not known from where the sailaba came, I might have guessed on a place far more to the north, but the text to the illustration clearly states that it is a special sword from Hyderabad. What is even more interesting is, that in the catalogue they have a kind of an inventory list of the weapons in the museum, and here it states that they have twenty-seven sailaba’s.
In the catalogue they have sailaba’s from 17th to 19th century, and the length of the blades are from 44 to 77 cm.
The sailaba shown have an inscription on the blade with the name ‘Saheb Ali’ and the date given is 1194 H.


Rick's sword is of course a kirach, but it is an unusual kirach as the false edge is very long, just as the heavy reinforcement of the spine is heavier than normally seen. Tulwar/basket hilts are seen, but not so often.

[Jeff D]

Hi Jens,

Is the date 1194 or is it 1197?

Jeff

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Jeff,

Why do you ask? The catalogue says 1194 H., so I have to believe in it - this should be about 1780 our time.
Btw I see on another thread that you have chosen to show a weapon - in detail - shame on you, I thought I had the rights.

Best
jens

[Jeff D]

Hi Jens,

I am trying to learn to read Arabic dates and if you look at the detailed photo of the blade that you posted , on the right side you see signs that look like this; '119V' . I think that is the date but V is arabic for 7.
As for the Nordlundesque photo's, you may have been the first and possibly the best at it, but you don't have exclusive rights! ask Wolviex. .

All the Best.
Jeff

[Jens Nordlunde]

Hi Jeff,

That you can see the numbers on the photo is beyound me, buy the catalogue says 1194 - well what are a few years between friends?

I fully agree with you on the details - they are lovely, and no copyright of course.

Best

Jens

[Jeff D]

Maybe I am seeing things but here is what I was looking at;

Jeff