Indian Moghul Blade?

drac2k · 1st January 2018, 06:17 PM

I recently acquired this dagger and it poses some questions for me.
First, the heavy 10" blade with a swollen armor piercing tip and relief work has some type of strange forging pattern; it does not appear to be chemically etched as it is multi-dimensional.Next, the blade seems to be incorrectly set into the handle, however, the bonding material appears to be old and organic, so I was wondering if perhaps the bottom edge had been broken by some type of trauma.The handle is worn but has traces of silver scrolling.
I have never valued metal handled weapons, as I viewed them just above tourist grade, however, this appears to be a decent blade, and if confirmed, I may want to get it professionally fixed as opposed to me attempting a repair.

Bob A · 1st January 2018, 08:14 PM

A few observations, from one with little background:

The blade seems somewhat on the crude side to me. For all its design elements, the execution is not nearly so sharp as I'm used to seeing on blades with that level of ornament. Also, the ornament does not have the "carved" look that is typical of the ones I'm familiar with.

Steel handles on daggers seem more often to be a Persian thing to me, to the point that I was looking for some animal figures on the blade. The koftgari does seem to have suffered from use, though it's hard to tell on my screen.

The side clips of the hilt also seem odd to my eye. Seen on swords, but in my admittedly limited experience I don't recall seeing that sort of thing on short arms.

Not very helpful I suppose. Take it for what it may be worth.

drac2k · 1st January 2018, 08:40 PM

All of your observations seem valid to me, Thanks.

Rick · 2nd January 2018, 02:14 AM

I think it's a married piece.

The pattern does appear to me to be etched; the blade is too thin where it joins the handle.
Workmanship on the blade is too crude or hurried in execution as Bob has mentioned.

drac2k · 2nd January 2018, 03:40 AM

That would certainly explain the misalignment; I previously hadn't thought that it had been chemically etched because it was fairly deep and it had a strange pattern.Thank you for your insights.

mariusgmioc · 2nd January 2018, 11:44 AM

My estimate is 19th century fake wootz blade. Definitely not Mughal.

Happy new year!

Marius

1st January 2018, 06:17 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Indian Moghul Blade? I recently acquired this dagger and it poses some questions for me. First, the heavy 10" blade with a swollen armor piercing tip and relief work has some type of strange forging pattern; it does not appear to be chemically etched as it is multi-dimensional.Next, the blade seems to be incorrectly set into the handle, however, the bonding material appears to be old and organic, so I was wondering if perhaps the bottom edge had been broken by some type of trauma.The handle is worn but has traces of silver scrolling. I have never valued metal handled weapons, as I viewed them just above tourist grade, however, this appears to be a decent blade, and if confirmed, I may want to get it professionally fixed as opposed to me attempting a repair. Attached Images

1st January 2018, 08:14 PM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 427	A few observations, from one with little background: The blade seems somewhat on the crude side to me. For all its design elements, the execution is not nearly so sharp as I'm used to seeing on blades with that level of ornament. Also, the ornament does not have the "carved" look that is typical of the ones I'm familiar with. Steel handles on daggers seem more often to be a Persian thing to me, to the point that I was looking for some animal figures on the blade. The koftgari does seem to have suffered from use, though it's hard to tell on my screen. The side clips of the hilt also seem odd to my eye. Seen on swords, but in my admittedly limited experience I don't recall seeing that sort of thing on short arms. Not very helpful I suppose. Take it for what it may be worth.

1st January 2018, 08:40 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	All of your observations seem valid to me, Thanks.

2nd January 2018, 02:14 AM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	I think it's a married piece. The pattern does appear to me to be etched; the blade is too thin where it joins the handle. Workmanship on the blade is too crude or hurried in execution as Bob has mentioned.

2nd January 2018, 03:40 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	That would certainly explain the misalignment; I previously hadn't thought that it had been chemically etched because it was fairly deep and it had a strange pattern.Thank you for your insights.

2nd January 2018, 11:44 AM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	My estimate is 19th century fake wootz blade. Definitely not Mughal. Happy new year! Marius