Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Some very interesting observations, especially on the apparent wear on some elements, which of course suggest age. As always, and as with the blades, it is possible older components used.
Robin brought up a curious dagger in his collection several years ago which is actually more like a dirk (14" blade) and the blade appears European from an old hanger. It has a clipped point, and familiar sickle marks, both suggesting 18th century Eastern European blade, likely shortened.
The mounts with hilt and scabbard fittings en suite in silver against the dramatic black material contrasting. .....and as he mentioned in that post the similarity to the Nepalese 'kothimora' kukri's. These silver mounted examples against colors of choice (often regimental) seem to favor the black which shows off the silver well.
These are more a presentation type weapon, typically to officers retiring or other significant circumstances.
What is remarkable is the style of craftmanship, and the gestalt which seems to have certain degree of similiarity. While this styling seems compellingly like the kothimora, could it be that the artisans producing these in the years of the British Raj (until 1947) might have created these kinds of weapons for broader scope of presentation type situations?
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Thank you for your input, that is the same I would say, too. An old blade with fittings from the later time of british colonial era in India.
The Afghan style could be a good sign of a production in northern India, like my other dirk-like piece could be from that region, too, because of the Kukri-style fittings.