Indian armoury marks

Jens Nordlunde · 23rd June 2007, 05:48 PM

It is an interesting turn the discussion on Alex’s thread about the stamps has taken, but in order not to confuse the matters, I have decided to start a new thread on armoury marks. Anyone who has any armoury marks on their weapons, or who have any comments, please show the mark and comment on them.

Yes Jim, you are right, to study the history of India will give the reader a vague idea of, how complex it all was – and how weapons ‘travelled’. At the moment I am reading A History of Rajasthan by Rima Hooja, ISBN 81-291-0890-9. It’s a book on XIX, 1246 pages, bibliography 20 pages and index 46 pages, just to give you an idea. I can recommend the book very much.

You ask about the umbrella symbol, often also shown with alams on the top. I am sorry that I can’t answer your question, but as I have seen them made in different qualities, my guess is, that rulers and high officials used them.

You should also notice that not all armouries marked their weapons. I think it is fairly safe to say that the bigger armouries did, but it seems as if not even all of the bigger armouries did. Swords were more often marked than daggers, but the marks can also be seen on daggers.

Jens

23rd June 2007, 05:48 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Indian armoury marks It is an interesting turn the discussion on Alex’s thread about the stamps has taken, but in order not to confuse the matters, I have decided to start a new thread on armoury marks. Anyone who has any armoury marks on their weapons, or who have any comments, please show the mark and comment on them. Yes Jim, you are right, to study the history of India will give the reader a vague idea of, how complex it all was – and how weapons ‘travelled’. At the moment I am reading A History of Rajasthan by Rima Hooja, ISBN 81-291-0890-9. It’s a book on XIX, 1246 pages, bibliography 20 pages and index 46 pages, just to give you an idea. I can recommend the book very much. You ask about the umbrella symbol, often also shown with alams on the top. I am sorry that I can’t answer your question, but as I have seen them made in different qualities, my guess is, that rulers and high officials used them. You should also notice that not all armouries marked their weapons. I think it is fairly safe to say that the bigger armouries did, but it seems as if not even all of the bigger armouries did. Swords were more often marked than daggers, but the marks can also be seen on daggers. Jens Attached Images