Siamese Swords: what are they?

[ariel]

In the Egerton's book, there is a list of Siamese weapons (p.94). Dha or Darb is not mentioned, although there are several mentions of Dha in the following list ( pp.95-95) and all are attributed to "Burmah".

Among the Siamese weapons Egerton mentions:
"Dass, the long curved sword 18 to 40 inches long"

"Kassi, a long sabre from foreighners"

"Ngao, a sort of curved knife or sword, 18 inches long, with handle about 6 feet long"
In all the discussions of our esteemed Dhafia, I have never heard of those.
Was Egerton mistaken? Name or transliteration incorrect? Are they real? If yes, any examples that can be shown here?

[Andrew]

I think our Thai members will be able to address this better than I, but I won't let that stop me from trying.

"Dha" is a Burmese term for sword (or knife, depending on the suffix applied). We tend to use it generically to refer to the swords and knives of Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

As I understand it, the closest corresponding Thai terms are "daab", and "krabi", depending on the type of weapon.

Egerton was probably trying to be specific and accurate as he only refers to Burmese weapons as dha. The spelling of his Siamese weapon names may simply be a function of translation into English letters. "Dass" could be "daab" and "kassi" could be "krabi".

Egerton's description of a "ngao" sounds like a pole-arm of some sort.

[dennee]

The "ngao" sounds rather like a mak.

[Tim Simmons]

Pak-A-Mak

[ariel]

Originally Posted by Andrew

I think our Thai members will be able to address this better than I, but I won't let that stop me from trying.

"Dha" is a Burmese term for sword (or knife, depending on the suffix applied). We tend to use it generically to refer to the swords and knives of Burma, Thailand, Laos and Cambodia.

As I understand it, the closest corresponding Thai terms are "daab", and "krabi", depending on the type of weapon.

Egerton was probably trying to be specific and accurate as he only refers to Burmese weapons as dha. The spelling of his Siamese weapon names may simply be a function of translation into English letters. "Dass" could be "daab" and "kassi" could be "krabi".

Egerton's description of a "ngao" sounds like a pole-arm of some sort.

Andrew,
What are you doing at 1:30 pm surfing the net? I, at least, am on a legitimate medical leave, but you, a lawyer?
And some say that there is no rest for the wicked...

[Rick]

Seems we're suffering an extreme outbreak of humor on the Forum today .
Must be the alignment of the jokers...er stars ; yeah , that's the ticket !

[Andrew]

Originally Posted by ariel

Andrew,
What are you doing at 1:30 pm surfing the net? I, at least, am on a legitimate medical leave, but you, a lawyer?
And some say that there is no rest for the wicked...

lol. My two law partners are in trial right now, so I'm stuck here minding the shop.

[Ian]

Speaking of archaic terms, how many people use a cleek, niblick or mashie today? Their decendants are used by millions of people every weekend.

Ian

[Bancha Thongkomol]

Originally Posted by Ian

Not me. I don't chase little balls around in fields.

I agree with Andrew that Egerton's "dass" is probably a daab, and the "kassi" a krabi. Krabi is the term used for certain Siamese weapons, but as I understand it is the specific term for for Western sabres, as well.

I agree with Andrew

[PUFF]

I agree with Andrew

So do I

Please read further explaination abour Dahb and Krabi in http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=118

[ariel]

So, as I suspected, it is just a matter of pronounciation.
Looking back, it is interesting how consistent Egerton is: in both cases "b" was transliterated by him as "ss".
Perhaps, the native speaker who provided these names to the venerable Lord of Tatton, had no teeth

[Mark]

Originally Posted by Ian

Speaking of archaic terms, how many people use a cleek, niblick or mashie today? Their decendants are used by millions of people every weekend.

Ian

This is what was supposed to be my response to Ian's post ( ):

Not me. I don't chase little balls around in fields.

I agree with Andrew that Egerton's "dass" is probably a daab, and the "kassi" a krabi. Krabi is the term used for certain Siamese weapons, but as I understand it is the specific term for for Western sabres, as well.

I think I've put everything back the way it was.