Small sickle chopper -- Southern Indian (?)

Ian · 25th June 2005, 08:08 PM

This is a small but well made sickle weapon. I've searched my files and references and the closest I can come to an ID is either a Moplah chopper from the Malabar Coast of SW India, or something a little further inland from Mysore. Egerton has an example that resembles the one pictured below.

The blade measures 8 1/4 inches from tip to bolster and is 1 5/8 inches at its widest. Blade is 3/16 inches thick just in front of the bolster. There is a 1/2-inch steel bolster and the rest of the handle is 4 1/4 inches in length, with a brass and a steel ferrule flanking the circular wooden grip. There is a thin metal plate at the end of the hilt, with a peened tang to secure the hilt.

There are elongated S-shapes along the spine of the blade and other designs at "forte" -- see the pictures below. Perhaps the most unusual feature is a humped protrusion from the back of the blade immediately before the bolster. I have included detailed pictures of this area. The only similar arrangement I have found is a Malabar chopper illustrated in Egerton.

Close up views of the blade show some patination and there is evidence of an inserted edge. Overall, I would say the blade is at least 100 years old, probably older, but the hilt may be a replacement.

Opinons and observations would be most welcome.

Ian.

Battara · 25th June 2005, 10:37 PM

I've seen this example in Stone's book. Don't remember if it is in Elgood's book.

Tim Simmons · 25th June 2005, 10:41 PM

Hello Ian, what is that red stuff we can see in the picture, it looks a bit like polishing compound. I am not trying to be rude. I would agree with you that there is age with this blade. It might be red paint? A drop of meths should clean out any pre- sale buffing. I have been on the look out for one of these knives with a scabbard, but I have come to the conclusion that with or with out a scabbard they are thin on the ground.Tim

Ian · 25th June 2005, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Hello Ian, what is that red stuff we can see in the picture, it looks a bit like polishing compound.

Yep, just some polishing compound. Came off pretty easily.

Quote:

I have been on the look out for one of these knives with a scabbard, but I have come to the conclusion that with or with out a scabbard they are thin on the ground.Tim

If this one is from Southern India, I agree that typical southern Indian edged weapons are hard to find. The Kerala knives, the adya katti and pinchangatti of the Coorg, Moplah choppers, and the Nias weapons are all scarce (and expensive).

RobT · 4th July 2005, 06:34 AM

Tim,
If Stone is correct on pg 456: "The sword is carried without a scabbard, blade up, with the handle thrust inside the belt at the back." you're not going to find one with a scabbard. I agree with you that they aren't common. I grabbed the only one I ever saw for sale.
Sincerely,
RobT

Jens Nordlunde · 4th July 2005, 11:31 AM

In ‘Hindu Arms and Ritual’ Elgood shows some choppers on page 70 fig. 6.3. One of them seems to be the same as the one Stone shows on page 180.

It is a nice chopper you show, and old as well, but I agree with you about the hilt. This one could be from the SW coast of India, but it is not what you understand under a Moplah chopper nor is it an Adya Katti, they are both heavier and look different.

On the picture below is an Adya Katti. Total length 54 cm, length of blade 41 cm.

Jens Nordlunde · 4th July 2005, 01:29 PM

Ian, Here is another chopper from south India.
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...threadid=53613

25th June 2005, 08:08 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Small sickle chopper -- Southern Indian (?) This is a small but well made sickle weapon. I've searched my files and references and the closest I can come to an ID is either a Moplah chopper from the Malabar Coast of SW India, or something a little further inland from Mysore. Egerton has an example that resembles the one pictured below. The blade measures 8 1/4 inches from tip to bolster and is 1 5/8 inches at its widest. Blade is 3/16 inches thick just in front of the bolster. There is a 1/2-inch steel bolster and the rest of the handle is 4 1/4 inches in length, with a brass and a steel ferrule flanking the circular wooden grip. There is a thin metal plate at the end of the hilt, with a peened tang to secure the hilt. There are elongated S-shapes along the spine of the blade and other designs at "forte" -- see the pictures below. Perhaps the most unusual feature is a humped protrusion from the back of the blade immediately before the bolster. I have included detailed pictures of this area. The only similar arrangement I have found is a Malabar chopper illustrated in Egerton. Close up views of the blade show some patination and there is evidence of an inserted edge. Overall, I would say the blade is at least 100 years old, probably older, but the hilt may be a replacement. Opinons and observations would be most welcome. Ian. Attached Images

4th July 2005, 06:34 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 493	Maybe no Sheath Tim, If Stone is correct on pg 456: "The sword is carried without a scabbard, blade up, with the handle thrust inside the belt at the back." you're not going to find one with a scabbard. I agree with you that they aren't common. I grabbed the only one I ever saw for sale. Sincerely, RobT

4th July 2005, 11:31 AM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	In ‘Hindu Arms and Ritual’ Elgood shows some choppers on page 70 fig. 6.3. One of them seems to be the same as the one Stone shows on page 180. It is a nice chopper you show, and old as well, but I agree with you about the hilt. This one could be from the SW coast of India, but it is not what you understand under a Moplah chopper nor is it an Adya Katti, they are both heavier and look different. On the picture below is an Adya Katti. Total length 54 cm, length of blade 41 cm. Attached Images

25th June 2005, 10:37 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	I've seen this example in Stone's book. Don't remember if it is in Elgood's book.

25th June 2005, 10:41 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Hello Ian, what is that red stuff we can see in the picture, it looks a bit like polishing compound. I am not trying to be rude. I would agree with you that there is age with this blade. It might be red paint? A drop of meths should clean out any pre- sale buffing. I have been on the look out for one of these knives with a scabbard, but I have come to the conclusion that with or with out a scabbard they are thin on the ground.Tim

4th July 2005, 01:29 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ian, Here is another chopper from south India. http://forums.swordforum.com/showthr...threadid=53613