My giant can opener

Stan S. · 12th April 2012, 08:18 PM

This "thing" had been in my collection for a while. I know it's Indian because of the Bikaner markings on the spearhead and being that I bought it from an old estate of Indo Persian weapons along with a couple of nice tulwars. Despite my research, I am yet to find anything similar in any literature, online, etc. The only thing that comes remotely close is a spearhead shown on the page 279 of A. Tirri's book (fig. 202B). In Tirri's variant the ends are closed and it is much fancier than mine.

It really looks like a giant version of an old fashioned can opener. I am even ready to accept this being not a weapon but an agricultural implement. The haft may have been cut down but not in recent times. Perhaps it was ment to be short like this? The spearhead is intended for slashing because it is sharp along the long edge and has a false edge at the tip as well. The purpose of the ace-of-clubs like protrusion is a complete mystery. It may be purely ornamental in nature. The only possible use I can think of is to act as a sword catcher of sorts to trap opponent's blade.

I would appreciate any guesses to the origin and age of this item. I thought of cleaning it but decided that I like it better this way. Sorry about the picture quality - I am a terrible photographer. I hope that these will suffice in judging this item.

David R · 12th April 2012, 08:37 PM

It looks more Chinese to me, can you post a shot of the socket, especialy the junction with the blade.

ariel · 12th April 2012, 10:08 PM

Isn't it a Thai Mak?

Blacksmith · 17th April 2012, 11:45 AM

Hi, saw a couple of these in museum in Rajasthan, India. They had a long (ca.2 meters or a little bit longer) wooden shaft and were labelled as "a pole arm used by foot soldiers" 1800 century.

Regards, Timo

Stan S. · 17th April 2012, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacksmith

Hi, saw a couple of these in museum in Rajasthan, India. They had a long (ca.2 meters or a little bit longer) wooden shaft and were labelled as "a pole arm used by foot soldiers" 1800 century.

Regards, Timo

Great, we are making some progress! Thank you! This certainly explains the presence of Bikaner markings on the blade. Do you remember which museum in Rajasthan you saw them in? Knowing this may aid me in my research. Thanks again

Blacksmith · 18th April 2012, 08:25 PM

Hello, I think it was in Udaipur, in City Palace but Im not quite shure. It was two years ago and I visited many museums.But Bikaner is not so far away from Udaipur. Unfortunately I didn`t took any pictures of them because they weren`t so atractive, there were lots of "cooler" stuff to take pics.
Regards, Timo

Stan S. · 18th April 2012, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blacksmith

Hello, I think it was in Udaipur, in City Palace but Im not quite shure. It was two years ago and I visited many museums.But Bikaner is not so far away from Udaipur. Unfortunately I didn`t took any pictures of them because they weren`t so atractive, there were lots of "cooler" stuff to take pics.
Regards, Timo

Thanks a lot Timo! Now I have to reach out to my Udaipur friend to see if he can shed some light on this mystery

12th April 2012, 08:18 PM	#1
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	My giant can opener This "thing" had been in my collection for a while. I know it's Indian because of the Bikaner markings on the spearhead and being that I bought it from an old estate of Indo Persian weapons along with a couple of nice tulwars. Despite my research, I am yet to find anything similar in any literature, online, etc. The only thing that comes remotely close is a spearhead shown on the page 279 of A. Tirri's book (fig. 202B). In Tirri's variant the ends are closed and it is much fancier than mine. It really looks like a giant version of an old fashioned can opener. I am even ready to accept this being not a weapon but an agricultural implement. The haft may have been cut down but not in recent times. Perhaps it was ment to be short like this? The spearhead is intended for slashing because it is sharp along the long edge and has a false edge at the tip as well. The purpose of the ace-of-clubs like protrusion is a complete mystery. It may be purely ornamental in nature. The only possible use I can think of is to act as a sword catcher of sorts to trap opponent's blade. I would appreciate any guesses to the origin and age of this item. I thought of cleaning it but decided that I like it better this way. Sorry about the picture quality - I am a terrible photographer. I hope that these will suffice in judging this item. Attached Images

17th April 2012, 11:45 AM	#4
Blacksmith Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 98	indian pole-arm Hi, saw a couple of these in museum in Rajasthan, India. They had a long (ca.2 meters or a little bit longer) wooden shaft and were labelled as "a pole arm used by foot soldiers" 1800 century. Regards, Timo

18th April 2012, 08:25 PM	#6
Blacksmith Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Finland Posts: 98	indian pole-arm Hello, I think it was in Udaipur, in City Palace but Im not quite shure. It was two years ago and I visited many museums.But Bikaner is not so far away from Udaipur. Unfortunately I didn`t took any pictures of them because they weren`t so atractive, there were lots of "cooler" stuff to take pics. Regards, Timo

12th April 2012, 08:37 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	It looks more Chinese to me, can you post a shot of the socket, especialy the junction with the blade.

12th April 2012, 10:08 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Isn't it a Thai Mak?