Indian Tulwar

Jens Nordlunde · 24th July 2015, 02:05 PM

Personally I don't believe in the theory that the forefinger should be curled around the quillon. Had this been the way the sword should hold, there would have been a ring for protection of the finger. It also seems as if Hendley did not think so, as you can see further down. I am sure Hendley would have mentioned it, in his description of the hilt, had it been common use to curl the forefinger around the quillon.

The text below and the picture are from Damascene Work in India by T. Holbein Hendley. Griggs, London, 1892. Plate III.

Left hilt. From Korti in Punjab. 18th to 19th Century.
Hilt made in false damascening. Flower on top of the disc. This ornamentation is very often used in Rajputana.
Hilt: 19.5 cm.
Disc diameter: 6.8 cm.
Width of quillons: 9.4 cm.
Length of langets: 6.8 cm.

Right hilt. Jodhpure. 18th to 19th Century.
Hilt in true damascening. The ornamentation is often used in Rajputana. The shape and flame like mode of finishing the top of the pommel is common in Jodhpor and Marwa, the west Rajput State.
Hilt: 18 cm.
Disc diameter: 7.5 cm.
Width of quillons: 10 cm.
Length of langets:6.4 cm

Additional text to the two hilts. It will be observed that a very good grip can be obtained with this hilt; the great object in Indian swords is to obtain a firm hold, so that the weapon may be used in making the drawing cut which enables the native swordsman to divide an animal into two pieces, or to serve a handkerchief with equal ease. For this reason alone the hilt is always small.

mrcjgscott · 26th July 2015, 10:50 PM

Jens,

Many thanks indeed for posting these further images. Those hilts are stunning, truly wonderful quality! I have something to aspire to now!

My further thanks for the list of further reading material, I have one or two, but there are certainly some I need to obtain, especially "The Marlborough House by Hendley"!

I understand your grain of salt warning, and subscribe to it wholeheartedly. I think it is very interesting to read how the design has been used and documented in such a variety of places.

I appreciate you taking the time to assist me in my search for knowledge, hopefully one day I may be able to repay the favour.

Kind regards,

Chris

Jens Nordlunde · 27th July 2015, 08:58 AM

Chris,
The Marlborough House and The Sandringham books have been reprinted by Ken Trotman and can be found here http://www.kentrotman.com it is no M064.
Good luck

mrcjgscott · 27th July 2015, 11:31 AM

Many thanks indeed Jens,

Quite the saving compared to the price of an original set! I shall get ordering, I have a feeling they will be very useful indeed.

All the best,

Chris

24th July 2015, 02:05 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Personally I don't believe in the theory that the forefinger should be curled around the quillon. Had this been the way the sword should hold, there would have been a ring for protection of the finger. It also seems as if Hendley did not think so, as you can see further down. I am sure Hendley would have mentioned it, in his description of the hilt, had it been common use to curl the forefinger around the quillon. The text below and the picture are from Damascene Work in India by T. Holbein Hendley. Griggs, London, 1892. Plate III. Left hilt. From Korti in Punjab. 18th to 19th Century. Hilt made in false damascening. Flower on top of the disc. This ornamentation is very often used in Rajputana. Hilt: 19.5 cm. Disc diameter: 6.8 cm. Width of quillons: 9.4 cm. Length of langets: 6.8 cm. Right hilt. Jodhpure. 18th to 19th Century. Hilt in true damascening. The ornamentation is often used in Rajputana. The shape and flame like mode of finishing the top of the pommel is common in Jodhpor and Marwa, the west Rajput State. Hilt: 18 cm. Disc diameter: 7.5 cm. Width of quillons: 10 cm. Length of langets:6.4 cm Additional text to the two hilts. It will be observed that a very good grip can be obtained with this hilt; the great object in Indian swords is to obtain a firm hold, so that the weapon may be used in making the drawing cut which enables the native swordsman to divide an animal into two pieces, or to serve a handkerchief with equal ease. For this reason alone the hilt is always small. Attached Images

27th July 2015, 11:31 AM	#4
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Brilliant!! Many thanks indeed Jens, Quite the saving compared to the price of an original set! I shall get ordering, I have a feeling they will be very useful indeed. All the best, Chris

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26th July 2015, 10:50 PM	#2
mrcjgscott Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 189	Jens, Many thanks indeed for posting these further images. Those hilts are stunning, truly wonderful quality! I have something to aspire to now! My further thanks for the list of further reading material, I have one or two, but there are certainly some I need to obtain, especially "The Marlborough House by Hendley"! I understand your grain of salt warning, and subscribe to it wholeheartedly. I think it is very interesting to read how the design has been used and documented in such a variety of places. I appreciate you taking the time to assist me in my search for knowledge, hopefully one day I may be able to repay the favour. Kind regards, Chris

27th July 2015, 08:58 AM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Chris, The Marlborough House and The Sandringham books have been reprinted by Ken Trotman and can be found here http://www.kentrotman.com it is no M064. Good luck