How old is this Tulwar?

Gonzoadler · 29th January 2021, 08:59 AM

Hello,

I have received this Tulwar. It has an iron handle, a blade made of normal steel and a leather coated wooden scabbard. On the handle you can see remains of a silver koftgari.
dimensions: total 86cm; without scabbard 84cm; blade 73cm
My knowledge about Indian art is not very extensive, so it is difficult for me to estimate the age. The scabbard is looking younger than the saber, blade and handle maybe belong together but were refixed later. But I think the handle could be also older than the blade, I'm not sure.
Now, I'm very interested in your opinions how old this Tulwar or it's parts could be. 18th, 19th or early 20th century?

complete with scabbard:

Gonzoadler · 29th January 2021, 09:00 AM

handle:

Gonzoadler · 29th January 2021, 09:02 AM

blade:

mariusgmioc · 29th January 2021, 11:06 AM

My guess would be around 1900.

Kubur · 29th January 2021, 02:26 PM

Come on Marius, this is a very good 19th c. tulwar!
Maybe the scabbard is from the 20th c.
I have no idea if the thick blade is from the 18th or the 19th...
But I wont be surprised if the blade is older, if you read Elgood you can see that 95% of the tulwars have replacement hilts.
The blade looks Indian but I might be wrong.

mariusgmioc · 29th January 2021, 03:14 PM

18th century or earlier tulwars generally have thinner plain blades with no fullers.

This blade appears to be Indian but emulating the European blades.

Thus, I stand by my estimation of around 1900... or later.

29th January 2021, 08:59 AM	#1
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	How old is this Tulwar? Hello, I have received this Tulwar. It has an iron handle, a blade made of normal steel and a leather coated wooden scabbard. On the handle you can see remains of a silver koftgari. dimensions: total 86cm; without scabbard 84cm; blade 73cm My knowledge about Indian art is not very extensive, so it is difficult for me to estimate the age. The scabbard is looking younger than the saber, blade and handle maybe belong together but were refixed later. But I think the handle could be also older than the blade, I'm not sure. Now, I'm very interested in your opinions how old this Tulwar or it's parts could be. 18th, 19th or early 20th century? complete with scabbard: Attached Images

29th January 2021, 09:00 AM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	handle: Attached Images

29th January 2021, 09:02 AM	#3
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	blade: Attached Images

29th January 2021, 11:06 AM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	My guess would be around 1900.

29th January 2021, 02:26 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Come on Marius, this is a very good 19th c. tulwar! Maybe the scabbard is from the 20th c. I have no idea if the thick blade is from the 18th or the 19th... But I wont be surprised if the blade is older, if you read Elgood you can see that 95% of the tulwars have replacement hilts. The blade looks Indian but I might be wrong.

29th January 2021, 03:14 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	18th century or earlier tulwars generally have thinner plain blades with no fullers. This blade appears to be Indian but emulating the European blades. Thus, I stand by my estimation of around 1900... or later.