Old Firangi with unidentified maker's name

Ian · 23rd March 2005, 06:57 PM

I have had this one for some time and it is in the original state that I received it. It has a traditional Indian basket hilt and a long straight blade on which is stamped a letter "T" over a name "HOLLI.." I have been unable to find a maker that corresponds to this mark. Anyone have suggestions?

Any idea of when this sword was made?

Here is an overall view of the sword:

The Indian basket hilt:

And the markings on the blade:

Ian.

tom hyle · 24th March 2005, 01:33 AM

On the second closeup the name seems to be "Hollu", rather than "Holli" The "typeface" of the letters may help you date the blade?

Conogre · 24th March 2005, 08:29 AM

The lettering on the blade definitely isn't Indian, making it an official "firengi" or foriegner....I can't watch Star Trek any longer without grinning each time the word is used!
That's a beautiful old sword, so you can consider me officially envious on it as well.
Mike

tom hyle · 24th March 2005, 01:34 PM

Yeah, and how about Jem Haddar? (I don't know how to spell that, don't claim to, and even don't want to)

Conogre · 24th March 2005, 04:18 PM

LOL!
Star Trek came by it honestly, with the "Dune" series of novels by Frank Herbert showing just how alien a culture can be, right here on earth, with very few changes being necessary to make it fit another galaxy, far, far away, from a Jihad right on down.
Mike

Jens Nordlunde · 25th March 2005, 09:33 AM

I doubt very much, that anyone with knowledge of typefaces would try a guess, and if someone did, the answer would be very vague, and therefore of little or no use. Maybe, if the letters were regarded as a logo, a result can be reached, but this would mean books with European factory stamps – anyone volunteer?
Ian, on the top picture where you show the two stamps, it seems as if the edge is ‘hollow’. Is it, or does it only look so to me? If it is, this could be of some help too, if we bring in the forum specialists on European blades.
Nice Firangi - when you get it cleaned

.

Jens

23rd March 2005, 06:57 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Old Firangi with unidentified maker's name I have had this one for some time and it is in the original state that I received it. It has a traditional Indian basket hilt and a long straight blade on which is stamped a letter "T" over a name "HOLLI.." I have been unable to find a maker that corresponds to this mark. Anyone have suggestions? Any idea of when this sword was made? Here is an overall view of the sword: The Indian basket hilt: And the markings on the blade: Ian.

25th March 2005, 09:33 AM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I doubt very much, that anyone with knowledge of typefaces would try a guess, and if someone did, the answer would be very vague, and therefore of little or no use. Maybe, if the letters were regarded as a logo, a result can be reached, but this would mean books with European factory stamps – anyone volunteer? Ian, on the top picture where you show the two stamps, it seems as if the edge is ‘hollow’. Is it, or does it only look so to me? If it is, this could be of some help too, if we bring in the forum specialists on European blades. Nice Firangi - when you get it cleaned. Jens

24th March 2005, 01:33 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	On the second closeup the name seems to be "Hollu", rather than "Holli" The "typeface" of the letters may help you date the blade?

24th March 2005, 08:29 AM	#3
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	The lettering on the blade definitely isn't Indian, making it an official "firengi" or foriegner....I can't watch Star Trek any longer without grinning each time the word is used! That's a beautiful old sword, so you can consider me officially envious on it as well. Mike

24th March 2005, 01:34 PM	#4
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Yeah, and how about Jem Haddar? (I don't know how to spell that, don't claim to, and even don't want to)

24th March 2005, 04:18 PM	#5
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	LOL! Star Trek came by it honestly, with the "Dune" series of novels by Frank Herbert showing just how alien a culture can be, right here on earth, with very few changes being necessary to make it fit another galaxy, far, far away, from a Jihad right on down. Mike