A Nice Quality Moplah/Mapilla Knife

CharlesS · 18th May 2018, 04:29 PM

The Moplah, or Mapilla, are Muslims living along India's Malabar coast. Their style of knife/sword/chopper has become quite a famous form and is considered to originate in very ancient designs. The hilts and blades may vary in details, and slightly in size, but are generally always of the same profile. Like many ethnographic weapons, the quality of the mounts may vary due to status and wealth.

This example is rather mundane except for two characteristics: the reinforced, elongated diamond sectioned blade(or if you prefer, a shallow ribbed blade), and the enameled bolster.

Like most examples, it either never had a scabbard, or the scabbard is long gone.

Dimensions:
Overall length: 19.5in.
Blade length: 11in.
Blade's widest point:3.25in.

Ian · 18th May 2018, 05:21 PM

Thanks for posting this one Charles. I'm always impressed by how short the blade is on these weapons. Definitely designed for close in chopping and slicing. They look a bit like an oversized corvo and are probably no less lethal and "nasty."

Ian.

CharlesS · 18th May 2018, 05:41 PM

Thanks, Ian! Always nice to get a response from you! Yes, this one is very sharp. Like you I am guessing these are far more lethal in the right hands with the right training. I am even guessing that the elongated hilt is more than just a handle.

Miguel · 19th May 2018, 08:41 PM

One word beautiful, three moe I love it.
Regards
Miguel

drac2k · 20th May 2018, 02:24 AM

Nothing mundane about anything on that chopper !!!

Jens Nordlunde · 21st May 2018, 03:49 PM

Charles, you have a very nice Moplah - congratulations:-).

Another weapon but of Hindu origin is the Aydha Katthi from Coorg, which is from about the same area as the Moplah.
After a violent outbreak in 1884, where the magistrate was copped to pieces on his veranda, more than 15'000 weapons were confiscated and most dumped at sea. Only a small number were alowed to go into museums.
This is why realy old knives/swords of this kind are so rare.
The one shown below is 18th to early 19th century. The stamp on the blade says LIN or LIM in Kannada script, and stands for the rulers name Lingaraja.
See The Journal of The Arms and Armour Society. Vol. XXII, no 4. September 2017. Two Iconic Knives of the Rajah og Coorg by Nidhin Olikara.

CharlesS · 21st May 2018, 04:32 PM

Jens,

Thanks for the input and impressive photos! I had no idea about why so many of these pieces were lost...what a shame!

I do know it is next to impossible to find either of these weapons with their original scabbard, or in the case of the aydha katthi, more like a 'holster'.

Jens Nordlunde · 21st May 2018, 06:06 PM

Charles, it is not next to impossible, it is impossible, as the did not have a scabbard, they were worn in a kind of belt over the shoulder - at least the ones from Coorg.

Jens Nordlunde · 21st May 2018, 08:59 PM

I have been looking for a Todunga for some time now, and I found one in Islamic Weapons. Maghrib to Mughal by Anthony C. Tirry, page 285.
Have a look here http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=8310

18th May 2018, 04:29 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Nice Quality Moplah/Mapilla Knife The Moplah, or Mapilla, are Muslims living along India's Malabar coast. Their style of knife/sword/chopper has become quite a famous form and is considered to originate in very ancient designs. The hilts and blades may vary in details, and slightly in size, but are generally always of the same profile. Like many ethnographic weapons, the quality of the mounts may vary due to status and wealth. This example is rather mundane except for two characteristics: the reinforced, elongated diamond sectioned blade(or if you prefer, a shallow ribbed blade), and the enameled bolster. Like most examples, it either never had a scabbard, or the scabbard is long gone. Dimensions: Overall length: 19.5in. Blade length: 11in. Blade's widest point:3.25in. Attached Images

21st May 2018, 03:49 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Charles, you have a very nice Moplah - congratulations:-). Another weapon but of Hindu origin is the Aydha Katthi from Coorg, which is from about the same area as the Moplah. After a violent outbreak in 1884, where the magistrate was copped to pieces on his veranda, more than 15'000 weapons were confiscated and most dumped at sea. Only a small number were alowed to go into museums. This is why realy old knives/swords of this kind are so rare. The one shown below is 18th to early 19th century. The stamp on the blade says LIN or LIM in Kannada script, and stands for the rulers name Lingaraja. See The Journal of The Arms and Armour Society. Vol. XXII, no 4. September 2017. Two Iconic Knives of the Rajah og Coorg by Nidhin Olikara. Attached Images

18th May 2018, 05:21 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,195	Thanks for posting this one Charles. I'm always impressed by how short the blade is on these weapons. Definitely designed for close in chopping and slicing. They look a bit like an oversized corvo and are probably no less lethal and "nasty." Ian.

18th May 2018, 05:41 PM	#3
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks, Ian! Always nice to get a response from you! Yes, this one is very sharp. Like you I am guessing these are far more lethal in the right hands with the right training. I am even guessing that the elongated hilt is more than just a handle.

19th May 2018, 08:41 PM	#4
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	One word beautiful, three moe I love it. Regards Miguel

20th May 2018, 02:24 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Nothing mundane about anything on that chopper !!!

21st May 2018, 04:32 PM	#7
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Jens, Thanks for the input and impressive photos! I had no idea about why so many of these pieces were lost...what a shame! I do know it is next to impossible to find either of these weapons with their original scabbard, or in the case of the aydha katthi, more like a 'holster'.

21st May 2018, 06:06 PM	#8
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Charles, it is not next to impossible, it is impossible, as the did not have a scabbard, they were worn in a kind of belt over the shoulder - at least the ones from Coorg.

21st May 2018, 08:59 PM	#9
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I have been looking for a Todunga for some time now, and I found one in Islamic Weapons. Maghrib to Mughal by Anthony C. Tirry, page 285. Have a look here http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=8310