This is a robust jamadhar ('death tooth') or katar dagger; a style of dagger limited to the Indian Subcontinent. This example is typical in its overall form, having a straight double edged blade abruptly arising from an angled-back cross piece (hilt base) to which are attached hand and wrist guards parallel to the blade on either side and a grip formed by a pair of cross bars that focally touch at their center and the ends of which may be seen penetrating the sides of the wrist guard. The hilt elements have an appearance suggesting a very light acid etch and this is also noted over the blade obscuring a fine grain in the fullered area. Traces of old decoration are seen on the back of the cross piece (see bottom photo). The 9¼ inch (23.5 cm) blade of this example has a sharply defined high central mid rib on each face flanked on each side by a shallow fuller; immediately beyond the fullers the blade reaches a maximum thickness of 0.55 inch (1.4 cm) for an armor piercing tip that takes on a flattened diamond cross section and has been stained to show contrasting layers in the bulked up area on once side; the other side is also comprised of layered steel that has not been so highlighted. A few forging flaws may be seen along the mid rib and at layer junctions in the point. Only small patches of minor superficial discoloration and pitting are present. Overall length is 15 inches (38.1 cm) with a weight of 20¼ ounces (577 grams).