A VERY Strange Sword: What is it and where is it from??!!

CharlesS · 17th December 2011, 09:23 PM

This is certainly one of the most unusal pieces I have ever encountered. The sword is 35in. overall, with a 24in. blade that is thick and heavy, pattern welded and hooks downward at the end. It is single edged and very sharp. The hilt is horn carved with a small "checkered" pattern with brass, star-shaped, rivet caps. The bolsters are brass and intricately chieselled. The hilt's pommel is just slightly "earred".

There seem to be Ottoman and S. Indian influences...I am not sure. There are hints of a ram dao, and a S. Indian sword, as well as an Ottoman yataghan all wrapped into one! It seems a total anomaly.

Any comments and info on this are appreciated.

Stan S. · 18th December 2011, 12:44 AM

I am almost positive this is a Nepalese ram dao but I am thrown off by what looks like Islamic decoration (crescent moons and sex-pointed starts). A very impressive looking sword by the way. What are the dimensions?

Dmitry · 18th December 2011, 12:51 AM

This is totally not my forte, but the length of the grip, along with the unusual blade termination and the heft point towards an executioner's tool. The bolster between the hilt and the blade is Ottoman in style, yatagan-like.

ariel · 18th December 2011, 02:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan S.

sex-pointed starts

Freudian slip? :-) :-)

Stan S. · 18th December 2011, 03:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Freudian slip? :-) :-)

Yes, LOL

CharlesS · 28th December 2011, 01:24 PM

I am getting the impression that most are as perplexed by this one as I am!

Stan S. · 28th December 2011, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

I am getting the impression that most are as perplexed by this one as I am!

Its a Ram Dao or something very similar - it has to be! Perhaps a sacrificial sword from elsewhere in India? This still does not explain islamic features but that would be the best guess

Also, I have in my collection a sword showing identical damascus pattern on the blade, which is undoubtely of Indian manufacture, and while the blade is of a distinctly different shape (spatulate), it may not be too far fetched if they both originate from the same locale.

17th December 2011, 09:23 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	A VERY Strange Sword: What is it and where is it from??!! This is certainly one of the most unusal pieces I have ever encountered. The sword is 35in. overall, with a 24in. blade that is thick and heavy, pattern welded and hooks downward at the end. It is single edged and very sharp. The hilt is horn carved with a small "checkered" pattern with brass, star-shaped, rivet caps. The bolsters are brass and intricately chieselled. The hilt's pommel is just slightly "earred". There seem to be Ottoman and S. Indian influences...I am not sure. There are hints of a ram dao, and a S. Indian sword, as well as an Ottoman yataghan all wrapped into one! It seems a total anomaly. Any comments and info on this are appreciated. Attached Images

18th December 2011, 12:44 AM	#2
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	I am almost positive this is a Nepalese ram dao but I am thrown off by what looks like Islamic decoration (crescent moons and sex-pointed starts). A very impressive looking sword by the way. What are the dimensions?

18th December 2011, 12:51 AM	#3
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	This is totally not my forte, but the length of the grip, along with the unusual blade termination and the heft point towards an executioner's tool. The bolster between the hilt and the blade is Ottoman in style, yatagan-like.

28th December 2011, 01:24 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	I am getting the impression that most are as perplexed by this one as I am!