My first Tulwar

fernando · 9th September 2007, 10:47 PM

I hope i didn't fall into a junky business.
Would the engraving on the blade be somehow an usual design?
Could this piece have some age?
The blade is 67 cms.long and 4 cms. wide at forte. Still bright in some areas, all single edged, quite sharp, with bevel ( this the term? ).
Coments would be so much welcome.
Thanks in advance
fernando

ariel · 10th September 2007, 02:12 AM

OK, I'll take a stab

Based on my limited knowledge, the handle is Delhishani style, the quillons are slanted downward, suggesting older example ( 18th cen?), the blade is of local manufacture and seems to be shorter than usual cavalry weapons. The heavily incised blade was often a hunting one, but those had mostly animal figures. This one may not be a Tulwar Shikargar, but rather a fighting one. Look for damascus pattern.
Hey, Indian specialists, do I get a "gentleman's C"?

Battara · 10th September 2007, 11:05 PM

Ariel, I agree in that I think there is a damascus or wootz pattern under the patina.

I was first thinking hunting - did military have incised work like this too?

fernando · 10th September 2007, 11:59 PM

Thank you Ariel,
Thank you Battara,
You just caught me trying to digest Ariel's kind coments, as i wasn't familiar with some of the terms. I now found " Shikargaha" in Tirris's Islamic Weapons, and as for "Delhishani", i wonder if it derives from Delhi

.
I am happy, for a start, that this piece isn't some kind of a knock off. Also its probable age is a great score for me.
As for possible patterns on the blade, i can see none, with my unexperienced eyes. I am posting a picture of the other side, which is less oxided, and looking apparently of plain steel.
What i can see are a few traces of silver on the hilt, remnants of some koftgari.
I wish the engravings, not being animals, could still be decodeable.
What do you gentlemen think of it ?
Thanks again
fernando

ariel · 11th September 2007, 12:24 AM

Try to polish it with 600-800 grit and then etch it.
You may be pleasantly surprised

fernando · 11th September 2007, 01:01 AM

I don't know if i have the guts to embark onto such adventure

Naturally i would like to see the result, but i am afraid for limitations

.

9th September 2007, 10:47 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	My first Tulwar I hope i didn't fall into a junky business. Would the engraving on the blade be somehow an usual design? Could this piece have some age? The blade is 67 cms.long and 4 cms. wide at forte. Still bright in some areas, all single edged, quite sharp, with bevel ( this the term? ). Coments would be so much welcome. Thanks in advance fernando Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 10th September 2007 at 01:15 AM.

10th September 2007, 11:59 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Ariel, Thank you Battara, You just caught me trying to digest Ariel's kind coments, as i wasn't familiar with some of the terms. I now found " Shikargaha" in Tirris's Islamic Weapons, and as for "Delhishani", i wonder if it derives from Delhi . I am happy, for a start, that this piece isn't some kind of a knock off. Also its probable age is a great score for me. As for possible patterns on the blade, i can see none, with my unexperienced eyes. I am posting a picture of the other side, which is less oxided, and looking apparently of plain steel. What i can see are a few traces of silver on the hilt, remnants of some koftgari. I wish the engravings, not being animals, could still be decodeable. What do you gentlemen think of it ? Thanks again fernando Attached Images

11th September 2007, 01:01 AM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Etching I don't know if i have the guts to embark onto such adventure Naturally i would like to see the result, but i am afraid for limitations .

10th September 2007, 02:12 AM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	OK, I'll take a stab Based on my limited knowledge, the handle is Delhishani style, the quillons are slanted downward, suggesting older example ( 18th cen?), the blade is of local manufacture and seems to be shorter than usual cavalry weapons. The heavily incised blade was often a hunting one, but those had mostly animal figures. This one may not be a Tulwar Shikargar, but rather a fighting one. Look for damascus pattern. Hey, Indian specialists, do I get a "gentleman's C"?

10th September 2007, 11:05 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	Ariel, I agree in that I think there is a damascus or wootz pattern under the patina. I was first thinking hunting - did military have incised work like this too?

11th September 2007, 12:24 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Try to polish it with 600-800 grit and then etch it. You may be pleasantly surprised