Mughal Katar

Aurangzeb · 5th March 2005, 04:39 PM

Greetings to all !

I am a 'newbie' here so if I make mistakes, please enlighten me so that I don;t repeat past mistakes. My son, age 13, is very much interested in, and a collector of Islamic weapons. We have purchased what has been described as an 18th century Mughal 'Scissors' Katar. From extensive research on the web, my son has estimated it's age at approximately 18th century. Basically my son is interested in opinions of others more knowledgeable that may either confirm or negate this estimate. I have included some digital pix of this Katar for your perusal. Any help would be MOST appreciated ! From past 'trolling' of this site we have been extremely impressed by the knowledge of it's users ! We're hoping that someone may be able to assist us in determining the accuracy of perceived information !
Thank you very much in advance for any help that any member can render ! Please see attached images of the 'Scissors Katar'

Justin · 5th March 2005, 05:32 PM

Welcome to the forum!

I am sure that someone more knowledgeable with Indian arms can tell you more ,but my gut feeling is that this katar is probably from the early to mid 19th century {1800-1850}.There is a lot of inlaying still intact and while it is possible that you katar was well cared for, inlaying is usually the first thing to go on a knife,it gets worn ,rubbed and scratched off fairly easily.Nice katar either way.

Rick · 5th March 2005, 10:42 PM

There are also many past threads on the katar from the old forum available through the search feature if you have not already used it :

http://www.vikingsword.com/cgi-bin/s...i?action=intro

Jens Nordlunde · 7th March 2005, 08:16 PM

Welcome to you and your son,
The kind of katar you are showing, are seen frequently, but not often. None the less, I think Justin is very generous to date it in the first half of the 19th century. There are some from that period - but still. This does means that you both should enjoy the katar - and go on collecting

.

All the best

Jens

Aurangzeb · 8th March 2005, 01:21 AM

Greetings To All !

Thank you very much for all of your replies to our initial inquiry regarding our Katar ! We are wondering if this Katar is considered to be from the Mughal era ?
As always, your comments are very much welcomed and appreciated !

Best wishes,

Mark Jr.

Jens Nordlunde · 9th March 2005, 10:55 AM

Hi Aurangzeb,

If there is any rust on your katar stop it with WD40, make a search for cleaning weapons, on this forum and follow the instructions, but be careful not to spoil the silver koftgari.
When I have finished the cleaning I use to give the weapon some solid car wax and polish it for protection.
Katars come in many types and forms, here is one of the more unusual. The outer blade is scabbard for the inner blade. Notice that the inner blade is quite a bit older than the rest of the katar.

Jens

5th March 2005, 04:39 PM	#1
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Mughal Katar Greetings to all ! I am a 'newbie' here so if I make mistakes, please enlighten me so that I don;t repeat past mistakes. My son, age 13, is very much interested in, and a collector of Islamic weapons. We have purchased what has been described as an 18th century Mughal 'Scissors' Katar. From extensive research on the web, my son has estimated it's age at approximately 18th century. Basically my son is interested in opinions of others more knowledgeable that may either confirm or negate this estimate. I have included some digital pix of this Katar for your perusal. Any help would be MOST appreciated ! From past 'trolling' of this site we have been extremely impressed by the knowledge of it's users ! We're hoping that someone may be able to assist us in determining the accuracy of perceived information ! Thank you very much in advance for any help that any member can render ! Please see attached images of the 'Scissors Katar' Attached Images

8th March 2005, 01:21 AM	#5
Aurangzeb Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 306	Mughal Katar Question Greetings To All ! Thank you very much for all of your replies to our initial inquiry regarding our Katar ! We are wondering if this Katar is considered to be from the Mughal era ? As always, your comments are very much welcomed and appreciated ! Best wishes, Mark Jr.

9th March 2005, 10:55 AM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Aurangzeb, If there is any rust on your katar stop it with WD40, make a search for cleaning weapons, on this forum and follow the instructions, but be careful not to spoil the silver koftgari. When I have finished the cleaning I use to give the weapon some solid car wax and polish it for protection. Katars come in many types and forms, here is one of the more unusual. The outer blade is scabbard for the inner blade. Notice that the inner blade is quite a bit older than the rest of the katar. Jens Attached Images

5th March 2005, 05:32 PM	#2
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Welcome to the forum! I am sure that someone more knowledgeable with Indian arms can tell you more ,but my gut feeling is that this katar is probably from the early to mid 19th century {1800-1850}.There is a lot of inlaying still intact and while it is possible that you katar was well cared for, inlaying is usually the first thing to go on a knife,it gets worn ,rubbed and scratched off fairly easily.Nice katar either way.

5th March 2005, 10:42 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	There are also many past threads on the katar from the old forum available through the search feature if you have not already used it : http://www.vikingsword.com/cgi-bin/s...i?action=intro

7th March 2005, 08:16 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Welcome to you and your son, The kind of katar you are showing, are seen frequently, but not often. None the less, I think Justin is very generous to date it in the first half of the 19th century. There are some from that period - but still. This does means that you both should enjoy the katar - and go on collecting . All the best Jens