Anglo Indian dagger

[Marius66]

Good day dear members of the forum,

I bought this interesting dagger,
I thought it was really old but I don't think so anymore:

I found informations on internet about ''anglo indians daggers made for europeans tourists at the beginning of the 20th century.
The hilt is a little different ? Maybe older 19th ?!
I wonder about the blade, I supposed it could be wootz but I read about '' fake wootz pattern'' on these daggers
So I hesitate to sand/etch the blade...🙄
I will receive it soon

Thank you for your comments / advice

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Marius66

Good day dear members of the forum,

I bought this interesting dagger,
I thought it was really old but I don't think so anymore:

I found informations on internet about ''anglo indians daggers made for europeans tourists at the beginning of the 20th century.
The hilt is a little different ? Maybe older 19th ?!
I wonder about the blade, I supposed it could be wootz but I read about '' fake wootz pattern'' on these daggers
So I hesitate to sand/etch the blade...🙄
I will receive it soon

Thank you for your comments / advice

Hello, Marius

Congratulations on the new item in your collectio. Good dagger.
You are right. This is an Indian dagger made in the late 19th - early 20th centuries. All of them are similar in the shape of the blade and the material of the handle, made of green stone (jade).
I agree with the version that these daggers were made for Europeans, in fact, as souvenirs. But all these daggers are of good quality. Your hilt is a rarer type than is commonly seen.

I had several similar daggers and my collector friends have a few more. None had a blade made of wootz steel.

[Marius66]

Thank's a lot Turkoman Khan for your message .

I received it, no wootz I think, but as you said the blade is of good quality ( and crazy sharp for a souvenir dagger !!!)

[Marius66]

The hilt is a good hardstone and the wooden scabbard covered with fabric seems old/original ... ?

Kind regards

[Marius66]

I forgot to mention the size:

Medium-large but not xxl: 14,6 inches/ 37cm long

15,7 inches / 40cm long with scabbard

[Marius66]

For the hilt shape,
Is it a falcon or parrot head ?

Just for fun/fantasy or has it a symbolic signification in India ?

Kind regards

[Turkoman.khan]

Originally Posted by Marius66

For the hilt shape,
Is it a falcon or parrot head ?

Just for fun/fantasy or has it a symbolic signification in India ?

Kind regards

I think this a parrot's head. Parrots occupy an important place not only in mythology and folklore, but also in the decorative and fine arts of India. The parrot is the mount (vahana) of the god of love, Kama.

[francantolin]

Nice item,

I like these orientalist period ''souvenirs'' daggers
especially here the jade or agate handle.

I think too it must be a stylized parrot head