Burmese Dha

Unclebob · 16th April 2018, 01:27 PM

I've added another Burmese Dha to my collection. This one has a very nicely profiled blade, with a deep belly. Appears to have a Rayskin grip, with copper/bronze ends.
It is 28" overall, with a 21" blade and weighs in at 18oz.

Sajen · 18th April 2018, 12:27 AM

Hello UB,

yes a typical Burmese dha, end 19th/first quarter 20th century. Handle cover is indeed from ray skin. I have a very similar example in my collection, also with missing scabbard. When I find the time I will take some pictures and will post them for comparison.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 18th April 2018, 08:36 PM

Hi Bob:

Yes, a Burmese dha probably from the late 19th C. The two plain, metal ferrules flanking a rayskin grip are typical mountings on many Burmese swords of the late 19th–early 20th C. The blade has a nice shape with a prominent, tapered point. Given the wide fuller on the blade, this is most likely of Bama manufacture (rather than Shan, etc.).

Nice example.

Ian.

Unclebob · 18th April 2018, 10:35 PM

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

Nathaniel · 19th April 2018, 06:40 AM

Lovely dha shay bama. Always interesting how you see fullers more with Burmese vs neighboring. Also the sting ray grip seems exclusive to Burmese swords.

DaveA · 19th April 2018, 08:23 AM

My Burmese dha for comparison

Ian · 19th April 2018, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclebob

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

The Bama and Shan are two major ethnic groups in Burma. The Bama or Burman give their name to the former country of Burma (now Myanmar) and are the largest ethnic group in Burma. They are found mostly in the central and southern areas of the country. The Shan mostly occupy the Shan States in eastern and southern Burma (Myanmar). The Bama are ethnically Tibeto-Burman while the Shan are originally from northern areas in China and were driven south in the 13th C. The Shan are also found in northern Thailand, southern Yunnan and northern Laos.

The Bama and Shan were the main sword manufacturers in Burma.

Ian

Ian · 19th April 2018, 04:21 PM

Hi dave:

Nice example that you show. Similar features and time period as Bob's dha.

Ian.

DaveA · 20th April 2018, 05:38 PM

I love this dha. The balance is superb. With eyes closed, it is very easy to visualize where the tip is located. It feels like an extension of my arm. The only better sword I've owned in this respect was a contemporary katana. That one is gone from my collection now. When I am trying to explain this idea of balance to someone, I often give them my long flyssa sword to hold. It is heavy and a total bear to wield -- only stable point is straight up or straight down!

- Dave A

Ian · 21st April 2018, 05:24 AM

Here is one of mine that was displayed in the History of Steel exhibit in Macao in 2006-2007. Similar in style to those of Bob and Dave. The scabbard is a recent replacement.

Ian.

.

Sajen · 22nd April 2018, 05:40 PM

And here is my honest example.

Unclebob · 22nd April 2018, 08:40 PM

Many thanks Ian for explaining Bama and Shan for me. Some nice Dha you guys have; I haven't seen many for sale at Militaria Fairs, here in the UK, probably the wrong place to look!

16th April 2018, 01:27 PM	#1
Unclebob Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 21	Burmese Dha I've added another Burmese Dha to my collection. This one has a very nicely profiled blade, with a deep belly. Appears to have a Rayskin grip, with copper/bronze ends. It is 28" overall, with a 21" blade and weighs in at 18oz. Attached Images

18th April 2018, 08:36 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Hi Bob: Yes, a Burmese dha probably from the late 19th C. The two plain, metal ferrules flanking a rayskin grip are typical mountings on many Burmese swords of the late 19th–early 20th C. The blade has a nice shape with a prominent, tapered point. Given the wide fuller on the blade, this is most likely of Bama manufacture (rather than Shan, etc.). Nice example. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 18th April 2018 at 08:54 PM.

19th April 2018, 08:23 AM	#6
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	My Burmese dha for comparison Attached Images

21st April 2018, 05:24 AM	#10
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Here is one of mine that was displayed in the History of Steel exhibit in Macao in 2006-2007. Similar in style to those of Bob and Dave. The scabbard is a recent replacement. Ian. . Attached Images

22nd April 2018, 05:40 PM	#11
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,794	And here is my honest example. Attached Images

18th April 2018, 12:27 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,794	Hello UB, yes a typical Burmese dha, end 19th/first quarter 20th century. Handle cover is indeed from ray skin. I have a very similar example in my collection, also with missing scabbard. When I find the time I will take some pictures and will post them for comparison. Regards, Detlef

18th April 2018, 10:35 PM	#4
Unclebob Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 21	Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

19th April 2018, 06:40 AM	#5
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Lovely dha shay bama. Always interesting how you see fullers more with Burmese vs neighboring. Also the sting ray grip seems exclusive to Burmese swords.

19th April 2018, 04:21 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,207	Hi dave: Nice example that you show. Similar features and time period as Bob's dha. Ian.

20th April 2018, 05:38 PM	#9
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	I love this dha. The balance is superb. With eyes closed, it is very easy to visualize where the tip is located. It feels like an extension of my arm. The only better sword I've owned in this respect was a contemporary katana. That one is gone from my collection now. When I am trying to explain this idea of balance to someone, I often give them my long flyssa sword to hold. It is heavy and a total bear to wield -- only stable point is straight up or straight down! - Dave A

22nd April 2018, 08:40 PM	#12
Unclebob Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 21	Many thanks Ian for explaining Bama and Shan for me. Some nice Dha you guys have; I haven't seen many for sale at Militaria Fairs, here in the UK, probably the wrong place to look!