Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Gavin Nugent · 4th January 2009, 12:51 AM

New or old I always likes daggers from Bhutan, although they were not always made in Bhutan and are still made traditionally today.

I have recently been corresponding with a very learned gentleman in SEA who pointed out and provided old photos of his visits to a small mountain village on the Burma/China border that is famous for making these daggers and the Burmese Dha for as long as they can remember and other swords and knives since the Ming Dynasty.

I have a 19th century Bhutan dagger, just under 17inches with a beaut laminated blade and very thick spine, a 20th century rendition made from a file and a horn hilt with the eight auspicious symbols in repousse work on the scabbard and another all metal completely covered with repousse work with intricate dragons and motifs that was made in this village in the 1950's, it also has striations in the blade and the second ring to the middle of the hilt that is present on yours too. The later should arrive by the end of January, I can then provide the three side by side for comparisons.
It is my belief that this one pictured in the auction is from the 1980s and the blade will most likely be made of forged car spring steel.

I would like to see other comparisons of these daggers from anyone who has them as I also believe that the 19th century pieces never had that second ring in the middle of the hilt??

I look forward to viewing more images when it arrives Lew.

Gav

4th January 2009, 12:51 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	I look forward to more images New or old I always likes daggers from Bhutan, although they were not always made in Bhutan and are still made traditionally today. I have recently been corresponding with a very learned gentleman in SEA who pointed out and provided old photos of his visits to a small mountain village on the Burma/China border that is famous for making these daggers and the Burmese Dha for as long as they can remember and other swords and knives since the Ming Dynasty. I have a 19th century Bhutan dagger, just under 17inches with a beaut laminated blade and very thick spine, a 20th century rendition made from a file and a horn hilt with the eight auspicious symbols in repousse work on the scabbard and another all metal completely covered with repousse work with intricate dragons and motifs that was made in this village in the 1950's, it also has striations in the blade and the second ring to the middle of the hilt that is present on yours too. The later should arrive by the end of January, I can then provide the three side by side for comparisons. It is my belief that this one pictured in the auction is from the 1980s and the blade will most likely be made of forged car spring steel. I would like to see other comparisons of these daggers from anyone who has them as I also believe that the 19th century pieces never had that second ring in the middle of the hilt?? I look forward to viewing more images when it arrives Lew. Gav Last edited by freebooter; 4th January 2009 at 01:10 AM.