A newly aquired Kirach

Stan S. · 9th January 2012, 09:45 PM

In my collection of Indian swords, aside from the numerous tulwars/shamshirs, I have a representation of most classic uncommon shapes from the sub-continent. I have a sukhela, 2 patissas, a sosun patta, a firanghi, a cora, and a pata. One blade that managed to elude me all this time to the point where I have not even had a chance to handle one is that of a kirach. Strangely I found these to be either rarely available or far beyond my budgetary means. Imagine my surprise when while browsing eBay a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a seller in the UK selling a bunch of low-end tulwars, one of which had a rather peculiarly shaped blade...

There was virtually no description provided other than "antique tulwar - all sales are final". The sword was nothing spectacular and the pictures were blurry, so at first I thought this to be another straight-bladed sukhela dating from the late 19th century due to simple brass hilt. However, upon doing a double take I noticed what looked like a slight curve of the scabbard with a corresponding downcurve to the blade in relation to a ricasso.

So I took my chances and placed a bid winning this sword at around $85 shipped. Now that it had arrived and I have some of my own pictures to show, I will let you be a judge as to what I got here. I will say however, that aside from some surface rust spots (which should clean off easily), the blade, while not wootz and unmarked, is made of a good quality, springy steel. The curvature is much more evident when you hold the sword, which is quite sharp, very light weight and superbly balanced. Needless to say I am quite happy with my purchase. Could this be one of the swords allegedly issued to Sikh artillery troops?

The first 3 pictures are from the seller (just showing what I had to base my initial judgment on), the rest are mine:

Rick · 9th January 2012, 10:06 PM

Nice .
My example is a bit more extreme .....

Stan S. · 11th January 2012, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

Nice .
My example is a bit more extreme .....

Yes, I have seen pictures of your sword before. It is beutiful. I am especially stricken by a huge false edge at the back of the blade. A very unusual feature for Indian sword

Rick · 11th January 2012, 04:56 PM

Sometimes I wonder if it really is a kirach or some other kind of beastie .
All the other examples I have seen are more in the style of yours, Stan .

Got any more pictures for us ?

And ....
Is the blade pattern welded ?

Stan S. · 12th January 2012, 03:39 AM

Rick,

I am pretty sure your sword is a kirach too but designed for combat against havier armored opponents. To me it looks almost as if it served a similar purpose to a tegha - serious armor crushing, plus piercing capabilities. I wonder how heavy it is?

You are correct, most kirach I see are similar to mine. However, many have a different kind of blade, where the tip is shaped almost like an up-side-down kissake of a samurai sword. This results in the edge on the convex (cutting) side of the blade to be almost flat. I don't know if this indicates a different use, geographical region, or something else.

I'll clean the sword over the weekend and will try to get a few more pictures including some close-ups. At a glance the blade does not appear to be pattern welded. Its just a plain, although good quality steel, but perhaps I will learn otherwise as I clean this baby.

Rick · 12th January 2012, 05:09 AM

Hi Stan,
That sword weighs in at a tad over two pounds, 32.035 oz .
I'm not so sure about its chopping qualities; but it is a superb blade for the thrust despite (or maybe because of ?) its downward curve .
I have tried it out on ye trusty pool noodle .

I'd be interested in the weight of your example; these swords come along so rarely; more information is always helpful .

9th January 2012, 09:45 PM	#1
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	A newly aquired Kirach In my collection of Indian swords, aside from the numerous tulwars/shamshirs, I have a representation of most classic uncommon shapes from the sub-continent. I have a sukhela, 2 patissas, a sosun patta, a firanghi, a cora, and a pata. One blade that managed to elude me all this time to the point where I have not even had a chance to handle one is that of a kirach. Strangely I found these to be either rarely available or far beyond my budgetary means. Imagine my surprise when while browsing eBay a few weeks ago I stumbled upon a seller in the UK selling a bunch of low-end tulwars, one of which had a rather peculiarly shaped blade... There was virtually no description provided other than "antique tulwar - all sales are final". The sword was nothing spectacular and the pictures were blurry, so at first I thought this to be another straight-bladed sukhela dating from the late 19th century due to simple brass hilt. However, upon doing a double take I noticed what looked like a slight curve of the scabbard with a corresponding downcurve to the blade in relation to a ricasso. So I took my chances and placed a bid winning this sword at around $85 shipped. Now that it had arrived and I have some of my own pictures to show, I will let you be a judge as to what I got here. I will say however, that aside from some surface rust spots (which should clean off easily), the blade, while not wootz and unmarked, is made of a good quality, springy steel. The curvature is much more evident when you hold the sword, which is quite sharp, very light weight and superbly balanced. Needless to say I am quite happy with my purchase. Could this be one of the swords allegedly issued to Sikh artillery troops? The first 3 pictures are from the seller (just showing what I had to base my initial judgment on), the rest are mine: Attached Images

9th January 2012, 10:06 PM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Nice . My example is a bit more extreme ..... Attached Images

11th January 2012, 04:56 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Sometimes I wonder if it really is a kirach or some other kind of beastie . All the other examples I have seen are more in the style of yours, Stan . Got any more pictures for us ? And .... Is the blade pattern welded ? Last edited by Rick; 11th January 2012 at 11:48 PM.

12th January 2012, 03:39 AM	#5
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	Rick, I am pretty sure your sword is a kirach too but designed for combat against havier armored opponents. To me it looks almost as if it served a similar purpose to a tegha - serious armor crushing, plus piercing capabilities. I wonder how heavy it is? You are correct, most kirach I see are similar to mine. However, many have a different kind of blade, where the tip is shaped almost like an up-side-down kissake of a samurai sword. This results in the edge on the convex (cutting) side of the blade to be almost flat. I don't know if this indicates a different use, geographical region, or something else. I'll clean the sword over the weekend and will try to get a few more pictures including some close-ups. At a glance the blade does not appear to be pattern welded. Its just a plain, although good quality steel, but perhaps I will learn otherwise as I clean this baby.

12th January 2012, 05:09 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	Hi Stan, That sword weighs in at a tad over two pounds, 32.035 oz . I'm not so sure about its chopping qualities; but it is a superb blade for the thrust despite (or maybe because of ?) its downward curve . I have tried it out on ye trusty pool noodle . I'd be interested in the weight of your example; these swords come along so rarely; more information is always helpful .