Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


167 - Southern Indian Style Tulwar Sword with Brass Animal Head Hilt

This tulwar features a cast brass hilt terminating with a 'monster head' having further incised decorative detail. The quillons are plain, short and bulbous and the langets are long and tapering with simple shaping. A few patches of an old varnish-like finish remain on the hilt. The hilt is secured in place with soiled mastic. The single edged curved blade is 30½ inches (77.4 cm) long and remains unsharpened for about the first 2 inches (5 cm). A pair of crudely executed narrow fullers is present upon each blade face. The fine grained steel is very lightly pitted overall with a few denser dark patches. There is no scabbard. Overall length is just over 35 inches (89 cm) with a weight of 34 ounces (972 grams). Lew attributed the style of this sword to southern India.


Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt

Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt

Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt

Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt

Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt

Indian tulwar brass monster head hilt



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