Does anyone have an idea about this blade?

sirupate · 6th August 2015, 12:48 PM

A friend of mine asked me if this was Nepalese, personally I don't think so, I haven't seen one in Nepal in the villages I have been in, nor is there an example in any of the museums, but open to suggestions.
The confusion may come from the name given Tabar/Tarabar by those that sold it, but speaking to a kami Tabar/Tarabar is another word used for Tulwar by some of the less educated Nepalese, and it certainly isn't a Tulwar, so opinions greatly appreciated, cheers Simon

David R · 6th August 2015, 02:05 PM

Philippine? It looks very like some of the stuff from there posted here.

sirupate · 6th August 2015, 02:21 PM

Thanks for that David, the Philippines did cross my mind

Sajen · 6th August 2015, 03:28 PM

Sorry, I doubt the Philippine origin. When I remember correct I've seen not long ago a similar sword sold by ebay described as Nepalese sword.

Regards,
Detlef

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2015, 04:12 PM

This type of big knife is Northern Indian/Nepal. I had a few and they are now distributed amongst members here.

sirupate · 6th August 2015, 04:34 PM

Northern India maybe, but I very much doubt the Nepalese connection, I've had three Nepalese come back to me so far since I first posted here, including a kami, a former Captain (Nepalese) in the Gurkhas and a good friend, none of them recognise it so far, others to come back to me.

Why not the Philippines by the way? I have seen similar stuff out there

sirupate · 6th August 2015, 04:45 PM

Panay Tenegre (Wiki) and a Pinute from here, posted by Laban tayo, whilst not exactly the same they show some similarity

Rick · 6th August 2015, 04:47 PM

The carving on the scabbard doesn't look right for Philippine work .
The only similarity I can see is in the type of guard .

Ian · 6th August 2015, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Sorry, I doubt the Philippine origin. When I remember correct I've seen not long ago a similar sword sold by ebay described as Nepalese sword.

Regards,
Detlef

I would agree with Detlef. This does not look Filipino.

Ian

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2015, 04:59 PM

you can see origins here

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...nepalese+bowie

Jim McDougall · 6th August 2015, 05:14 PM

Outstanding discourse here!!
I like the way this item definitely had elements which spoke to both Filipino as well as Nepal. It seems to be Nepal has a remarkable diversity in their weaponry, which seem to have been stereotyped into kora and kukri....but few realize the spectrum is much wider.

In looking at this, my first inclination was also Philippines,as the blade, upturned open knuckleguard and general character recalled general Spanish colonial espada type features. However, my very limited knowledge of kukri still suggested that hilt looks very much like that of the kukri in general.

While both sides in examining this had sound perspectives and views, it is a pleasure to see the remarkable knowledge displayed from opposing positions in establishing the closing results.

Thank you gentlemen!

Tim Simmons · 6th August 2015, 05:19 PM

There are picture in the archive of kukri with the same decoration carved scabbards. You will have to plough your way through so many threads.

Silver John · 6th August 2015, 05:52 PM

The scabbard looks to have an almost identical style carving to many kukri scabbards I have seen (perhaps a dozen or more). It's Nepalese alright, at least the scabbard is.

Here are some very similar examples. Images from Google, I hope I haven't breached a rule.

mrcjgscott · 6th August 2015, 05:57 PM

Hi Simon,

Here is one of mine, I believe some people think they are Deccani or northern Bengal/Nepal border region in origin.

The various similarities to kukri are hard to ignore. They are usually found housed in carved wooden scabbards similar to those found on "box" kothimora.

I hope that helps.

Kind regards,

Chris

Gavin Nugent · 6th August 2015, 08:20 PM

http://australianmuseum.net.au/image...e-sword-e28583

Gavin

mrcjgscott · 6th August 2015, 08:46 PM

Interesting link Gavin,

A nice MkI they show on the next page...

http://australianmuseum.net.au/image...e-knife-e30483

Many interesting kukri have emerged from Turkey.

Kind regards,

Chris

kai · 6th August 2015, 08:48 PM

2 more examples.

The carving work doesn't look Indo nor Filipino to me, too. The blades don't have a chisel grind making any similarity with Visayan blades spurious IMHO.

Could these blades be from a minority in Nepal and neighbouring areas (Newari, etc.?).

Best wishes,
Kai

sirupate · 8th August 2015, 11:05 AM

Hi guys,

First of all a huge thanks to everyone for their input, and thank you Chris for that link.

I haven't replied before because I was waiting for a reply from Lt. Col. Cross and Buddhiman Gurung.

It turns out the JPX and Buddhiman have one, that belonged to the famed Bhakti Thapa, it is kept in Lamjung with some of Bhakti Thapa's other weapons and the khunda used for Dashain.

I wonder with Nepal being sandwiched between China and India, that that is how that type of guard came to be used in Nepal? and did the Chinese take it to the Philippines?

Once again, thank you for all the input, all the best Simon

6th August 2015, 12:48 PM	#1
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Does anyone have an idea about this blade? A friend of mine asked me if this was Nepalese, personally I don't think so, I haven't seen one in Nepal in the villages I have been in, nor is there an example in any of the museums, but open to suggestions. The confusion may come from the name given Tabar/Tarabar by those that sold it, but speaking to a kami Tabar/Tarabar is another word used for Tulwar by some of the less educated Nepalese, and it certainly isn't a Tulwar, so opinions greatly appreciated, cheers Simon Attached Images Last edited by sirupate; 6th August 2015 at 01:08 PM.

6th August 2015, 04:45 PM	#7
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Panay Tenegre (Wiki) and a Pinute from here, posted by Laban tayo, whilst not exactly the same they show some similarity Attached Images

6th August 2015, 05:52 PM	#13
Silver John Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 31	The scabbard looks to have an almost identical style carving to many kukri scabbards I have seen (perhaps a dozen or more). It's Nepalese alright, at least the scabbard is. Here are some very similar examples. Images from Google, I hope I haven't breached a rule. Attached Images

6th August 2015, 05:57 PM	#14
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Nepalese Recurved Bowie. Hi Simon, Here is one of mine, I believe some people think they are Deccani or northern Bengal/Nepal border region in origin. The various similarities to kukri are hard to ignore. They are usually found housed in carved wooden scabbards similar to those found on "box" kothimora. I hope that helps. Kind regards, Chris Attached Images

6th August 2015, 08:48 PM	#17
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,254	2 more examples. The carving work doesn't look Indo nor Filipino to me, too. The blades don't have a chisel grind making any similarity with Visayan blades spurious IMHO. Could these blades be from a minority in Nepal and neighbouring areas (Newari, etc.?). Best wishes, Kai Attached Images

6th August 2015, 02:05 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Philippine? It looks very like some of the stuff from there posted here.

6th August 2015, 02:21 PM	#3
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Thanks for that David, the Philippines did cross my mind

6th August 2015, 03:28 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Sorry, I doubt the Philippine origin. When I remember correct I've seen not long ago a similar sword sold by ebay described as Nepalese sword. Regards, Detlef

6th August 2015, 04:12 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	This type of big knife is Northern Indian/Nepal. I had a few and they are now distributed amongst members here.

6th August 2015, 04:34 PM	#6
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Northern India maybe, but I very much doubt the Nepalese connection, I've had three Nepalese come back to me so far since I first posted here, including a kami, a former Captain (Nepalese) in the Gurkhas and a good friend, none of them recognise it so far, others to come back to me. Why not the Philippines by the way? I have seen similar stuff out there

6th August 2015, 04:47 PM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,290	The carving on the scabbard doesn't look right for Philippine work . The only similarity I can see is in the type of guard .

6th August 2015, 04:59 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	you can see origins here http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...nepalese+bowie

6th August 2015, 05:14 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,937	Outstanding discourse here!! I like the way this item definitely had elements which spoke to both Filipino as well as Nepal. It seems to be Nepal has a remarkable diversity in their weaponry, which seem to have been stereotyped into kora and kukri....but few realize the spectrum is much wider. In looking at this, my first inclination was also Philippines,as the blade, upturned open knuckleguard and general character recalled general Spanish colonial espada type features. However, my very limited knowledge of kukri still suggested that hilt looks very much like that of the kukri in general. While both sides in examining this had sound perspectives and views, it is a pleasure to see the remarkable knowledge displayed from opposing positions in establishing the closing results. Thank you gentlemen!

6th August 2015, 05:19 PM	#12
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	There are picture in the archive of kukri with the same decoration carved scabbards. You will have to plough your way through so many threads.

6th August 2015, 08:20 PM	#15
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	http://australianmuseum.net.au/image...e-sword-e28583 Gavin

6th August 2015, 08:46 PM	#16
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Interesting link Gavin, A nice MkI they show on the next page... http://australianmuseum.net.au/image...e-knife-e30483 Many interesting kukri have emerged from Turkey. Kind regards, Chris

8th August 2015, 11:05 AM	#18
sirupate Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: England Posts: 373	Hi guys, First of all a huge thanks to everyone for their input, and thank you Chris for that link. I haven't replied before because I was waiting for a reply from Lt. Col. Cross and Buddhiman Gurung. It turns out the JPX and Buddhiman have one, that belonged to the famed Bhakti Thapa, it is kept in Lamjung with some of Bhakti Thapa's other weapons and the khunda used for Dashain. I wonder with Nepal being sandwiched between China and India, that that is how that type of guard came to be used in Nepal? and did the Chinese take it to the Philippines? Once again, thank you for all the input, all the best Simon