Not a Ram Dao?

DaveA · 14th May 2008, 03:35 PM

Hello,

I recently acquired the sword pictured below. The seller identified it as a Ram Dao from Nepal, but it doesn't resemble any pictures I can find of Ram Dao, nor match the descriptions in my reference books. So I am skeptical but I do not know what else it might be.

One side of the blade has many inlaid brass circles and half moon shapes. Two holes, one near the tip, one near the middle (possibly for hanging?). On the other side of the blade, an unusual feature: copper and brass forged into the steel. Overall length is 25 1/2 ", blade 16". Heavy for its size, with sharp blade

Thoughts?

Regards,

David

RSWORD · 14th May 2008, 06:48 PM

This is an interesting piece and agree it really does not resemble any Ram Dao although it is not far fetched to think of this piece as being an unusual example. With that being said, I am leaning more towards India and the Malabar Coast. You often find an assortment of "choppers" from that region many with similar handle configuration. I have also seen similar decoration as on this blade on other Malabar choppers. I would have a close look at the handle. Might be Rhino Horn. So I am leaning more towards a unique variant of Malabar chopper versus a unique variant of Ram Dao.

14th May 2008, 03:35 PM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Not a Ram Dao? Hello, I recently acquired the sword pictured below. The seller identified it as a Ram Dao from Nepal, but it doesn't resemble any pictures I can find of Ram Dao, nor match the descriptions in my reference books. So I am skeptical but I do not know what else it might be. One side of the blade has many inlaid brass circles and half moon shapes. Two holes, one near the tip, one near the middle (possibly for hanging?). On the other side of the blade, an unusual feature: copper and brass forged into the steel. Overall length is 25 1/2 ", blade 16". Heavy for its size, with sharp blade Thoughts? Regards, David Attached Images

14th May 2008, 06:48 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	This is an interesting piece and agree it really does not resemble any Ram Dao although it is not far fetched to think of this piece as being an unusual example. With that being said, I am leaning more towards India and the Malabar Coast. You often find an assortment of "choppers" from that region many with similar handle configuration. I have also seen similar decoration as on this blade on other Malabar choppers. I would have a close look at the handle. Might be Rhino Horn. So I am leaning more towards a unique variant of Malabar chopper versus a unique variant of Ram Dao.