Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Ian · 30th May 2025, 01:19 PM

Hi Richard,

Thanks for posting pictures of this sword. This is an Indian sword, one of a group of swords that are generally referred to as tulwar. The style of your blade derives from the Ottoman kilij, a curved saber with a swollen end called a yelman. Usually the yelman is sharpened on the back edge.

You will find many swords on this site if you search for "tulwar." Age is hard to say from the pictures, and perhaps the inscriptions will help pin it down. Many of these swords date from the 19th C, but 18th C might also be possible. The punched marks are fairly common on these swords and may indicate the particular armory where it was made.

Hopefully, our Indian arms experts can give you a better reading of this one and a translation of the markings.

Regards, Ian.

30th May 2025, 01:19 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,392	Hi Richard, Thanks for posting pictures of this sword. This is an Indian sword, one of a group of swords that are generally referred to as tulwar. The style of your blade derives from the Ottoman kilij, a curved saber with a swollen end called a yelman. Usually the yelman is sharpened on the back edge. You will find many swords on this site if you search for "tulwar." Age is hard to say from the pictures, and perhaps the inscriptions will help pin it down. Many of these swords date from the 19th C, but 18th C might also be possible. The punched marks are fairly common on these swords and may indicate the particular armory where it was made. Hopefully, our Indian arms experts can give you a better reading of this one and a translation of the markings. Regards, Ian.