Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 18th November 2007, 07:56 PM

Hi Fernando,
Bravo!!! A magnificent old warrior!!
I'm with Jens on his assessment and his note suggesting the most likely provenance of Maratha regions into the Deccan well placed. While I agree this mounting is probably 18th century, possibly very early 19th, I am inclined to think that blade is earlier. It seems narrow enough to be a military style rapier blade, which would take it into the 17th c. As you well know, the Portuguese provided blades to Maratha traders, as noted in Daehnhardt. The rounded spatulate point also emphasizes the Maratha use of these weapons in slashing technique.
The 'tired' look only magnifies the historic prestige of this warrior!!
Nicely done again Fernando

All the best,
Jim

In echoing Jens' questions...are there any marks, and I'm assuming that is a double edged blade.

18th November 2007, 07:56 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Hi Fernando, Bravo!!! A magnificent old warrior!! I'm with Jens on his assessment and his note suggesting the most likely provenance of Maratha regions into the Deccan well placed. While I agree this mounting is probably 18th century, possibly very early 19th, I am inclined to think that blade is earlier. It seems narrow enough to be a military style rapier blade, which would take it into the 17th c. As you well know, the Portuguese provided blades to Maratha traders, as noted in Daehnhardt. The rounded spatulate point also emphasizes the Maratha use of these weapons in slashing technique. The 'tired' look only magnifies the historic prestige of this warrior!! Nicely done again Fernando All the best, Jim In echoing Jens' questions...are there any marks, and I'm assuming that is a double edged blade.