Bichwa No Chilanum Not!

archer · 5th October 2010, 12:02 AM

This is a Khawah according to Elgood and apparently is rare in this guard form.

Awhile back, this was incorrectly listed on E Bay as a Bichwa. (probably from Eggertons having misnamed it a Bichawa. I had bid, but, lost it. Really kicked myself when I found a similar whole steel dagger on Artzis site.
I almost broke the Buy it now button on my PC screen this weekend,
when a second chance came up.

Unlike the Chilanum, there is only a single curve to the blade. The blade tip is reinforced usually found usually a Northern feature.
The knucklebow extending from the guard rather than the pommel is the rarity.
It's from the Mughal Courts of Akbar & Jahangir 16th thru 17th century. Pant Says the name Khawah comes from finisher, giver pf the coup de gras. See Elgood page 163.

Atlantia · 6th October 2010, 02:33 AM

Hi Archer,
Well if nobody else is going to comment, I will!
Its a lovely dagger. I wouldn't be suprised it if had a wootz blade either.
Very nice indeed. Congratulations.
Gene

archer · 6th October 2010, 05:38 AM

Thank you Gene, I thought since I had most of the info, I would try and be informative. It's a cousin to the Chilanum. As Lew would say "feeling like chopped liver". I'll be doing cartwheels if it's also wootz.

Steve

VANDOO · 6th October 2010, 06:48 AM

CONGRADULATIONS, A VERY ATTRACTIVE DAGGER, I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BALL WITH THE SWIRLED PATTERN IN THE CENTER OF THE GRIP. YOUR EXAMPLE IS NICER THAN THE OTHER EXAMPLE PICTURED. I ASSUME THE HAND THAT WOULD HOLD THE GRIP WOULD BE SMALL. WERE THESE WORN CONCEALED OR IN THE OPEN AND HOW WERE THEY USED ( FOR SLASHING PRIMARILY OR FOR STABBING) I KNOW NOTHING OF THESE BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE.

archer · 7th October 2010, 05:59 AM

Vandoo, I don't have it yet but, I'm sure your right, these daggers don't
have large grips. It was used primarily to finish off wounded foes.
So far, All the representations I've seen were tucked into a sash most
were bare bladed some had sheaths. Thank you, Steve

archer · 14th October 2010, 01:44 AM

After a good soap and water clean up. I saw that although it is all steel, blade and hilt are actually two pieces. The blade has a pronounced twist on the top edge. Still looking for photos of this hilt type.

5th October 2010, 12:02 AM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Bichwa No Chilanum Not! This is a Khawah according to Elgood and apparently is rare in this guard form. Awhile back, this was incorrectly listed on E Bay as a Bichwa. (probably from Eggertons having misnamed it a Bichawa. I had bid, but, lost it. Really kicked myself when I found a similar whole steel dagger on Artzis site. I almost broke the Buy it now button on my PC screen this weekend, when a second chance came up. Unlike the Chilanum, there is only a single curve to the blade. The blade tip is reinforced usually found usually a Northern feature. The knucklebow extending from the guard rather than the pommel is the rarity. It's from the Mughal Courts of Akbar & Jahangir 16th thru 17th century. Pant Says the name Khawah comes from finisher, giver pf the coup de gras. See Elgood page 163. Attached Images Last edited by archer; 5th October 2010 at 10:30 PM. Reason: remove a question

6th October 2010, 05:38 AM	#3
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	reply Thank you Gene, I thought since I had most of the info, I would try and be informative. It's a cousin to the Chilanum. As Lew would say "feeling like chopped liver". I'll be doing cartwheels if it's also wootz. Steve

7th October 2010, 05:59 AM	#5
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	responce Vandoo, I don't have it yet but, I'm sure your right, these daggers don't have large grips. It was used primarily to finish off wounded foes. So far, All the representations I've seen were tucked into a sash most were bare bladed some had sheaths. Thank you, Steve

14th October 2010, 01:44 AM	#6
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Followup After a good soap and water clean up. I saw that although it is all steel, blade and hilt are actually two pieces. The blade has a pronounced twist on the top edge. Still looking for photos of this hilt type. Attached Images

6th October 2010, 02:33 AM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Archer, Well if nobody else is going to comment, I will! Its a lovely dagger. I wouldn't be suprised it if had a wootz blade either. Very nice indeed. Congratulations. Gene

6th October 2010, 06:48 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	CONGRADULATIONS, A VERY ATTRACTIVE DAGGER, I ESPECIALLY LIKE THE BALL WITH THE SWIRLED PATTERN IN THE CENTER OF THE GRIP. YOUR EXAMPLE IS NICER THAN THE OTHER EXAMPLE PICTURED. I ASSUME THE HAND THAT WOULD HOLD THE GRIP WOULD BE SMALL. WERE THESE WORN CONCEALED OR IN THE OPEN AND HOW WERE THEY USED ( FOR SLASHING PRIMARILY OR FOR STABBING) I KNOW NOTHING OF THESE BUT WOULD LIKE TO HAVE ONE.