Strange Celonese? dagger

Athanase · 23rd February 2019, 04:53 PM

I would like to know if anyone has ever seen this type of dagger, the handle seems to be typically Celanese but the blade is a real enigma. I think of a ritual dagger (for dance?)

Thick steel blade, sharp but not cutting 23cm.
Kastane style handle that seems to have been reused here.

Kubur · 23rd February 2019, 06:41 PM

I love it...if you don't need it...
I think the blade is also Sri Lankan, maybe a Patisthanaya.
So a spearhead reused for a kastane...

Kubur

ArmsAndAntiques · 24th February 2019, 11:30 PM

This is likely not a Sri Lankan blade. It appears to be a standard French civilian hunting sword blade circa 1850-1900 that was cut down and modified. The distinct shape of the fullers gives it away.

Kubur · 25th February 2019, 10:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArmsAndAntiques

This is likely not a Sri Lankan blade. It appears to be a standard French civilian hunting sword blade circa 1850-1900 that was cut down and modified. The distinct shape of the fullers gives it away.

Interesting, can you post some exemples?

ArmsAndAntiques · 26th February 2019, 12:44 AM

Here is one, but this is a common and distinctly French blade form.

It looks like the base of the other dagger was cut for an additional floral flourish, but kept within the contours of the original blade profile.

Athanase · 26th February 2019, 02:27 PM

Thank you for these indications.
But the modification of the blade was done in Europe or Sri Lanka?

Jim McDougall · 26th February 2019, 08:27 PM

Excellent call by Arms & Antiques in the well illustrated comparison with the French hunting sword blade with similar fluted channels. I would have been inclined toward a polearm head such as suggested by Kubur without this compelling look at the French blade.
This seems a one off creation but made in Sri Lanka in the spirit of the famed Kandy craftsmen who fashioned the beautiful piha kaetta knives.

It is of course anybodys guess how a French blade, especially this late, would arrive in this trade sphere but certainly like with many weapons they could turn up anywhere via these networks.

As noted this 'kastane' hilt component has been paired with a ground down point added to the blade, and neo baroque flourish to the blade root adds the kind of decorative style favored on the piha kaettas. Surely an interesting and attractive piece from probably turn of the century or later.

kai · 27th February 2019, 12:46 AM

Quote:

It appears to be a standard French civilian hunting sword blade circa 1850-1900 that was cut down and modified. The distinct shape of the fullers gives it away.

No, this is not gonna fly!

E. g., the tapering and the proportions of the fullers don't work, even if modified...

Regards,
Kai

Kubur · 27th February 2019, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kai

No, this is not gonna fly!

E. g., the tapering and the proportions of the fullers don't work, even if modified...

Regards,
Kai

Of course
the blade posted is very different from the blade originally posted
so we come back to the beginning we don't know where this blade comes from...
I will be interested to see French military hunting swords too... i never saw this kind of animal

23rd February 2019, 04:53 PM	#1
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Strange Celonese? dagger I would like to know if anyone has ever seen this type of dagger, the handle seems to be typically Celanese but the blade is a real enigma. I think of a ritual dagger (for dance?) Thick steel blade, sharp but not cutting 23cm. Kastane style handle that seems to have been reused here. Attached Images

26th February 2019, 12:44 AM	#5
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	Here is one, but this is a common and distinctly French blade form. It looks like the base of the other dagger was cut for an additional floral flourish, but kept within the contours of the original blade profile. Attached Images

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23rd February 2019, 06:41 PM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I love it...if you don't need it... I think the blade is also Sri Lankan, maybe a Patisthanaya. So a spearhead reused for a kastane... Kubur

24th February 2019, 11:30 PM	#3
ArmsAndAntiques Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Posts: 80	This is likely not a Sri Lankan blade. It appears to be a standard French civilian hunting sword blade circa 1850-1900 that was cut down and modified. The distinct shape of the fullers gives it away.

26th February 2019, 02:27 PM	#6
Athanase Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Paris (France) Posts: 408	Thank you for these indications. But the modification of the blade was done in Europe or Sri Lanka?

26th February 2019, 08:27 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Excellent call by Arms & Antiques in the well illustrated comparison with the French hunting sword blade with similar fluted channels. I would have been inclined toward a polearm head such as suggested by Kubur without this compelling look at the French blade. This seems a one off creation but made in Sri Lanka in the spirit of the famed Kandy craftsmen who fashioned the beautiful piha kaetta knives. It is of course anybodys guess how a French blade, especially this late, would arrive in this trade sphere but certainly like with many weapons they could turn up anywhere via these networks. As noted this 'kastane' hilt component has been paired with a ground down point added to the blade, and neo baroque flourish to the blade root adds the kind of decorative style favored on the piha kaettas. Surely an interesting and attractive piece from probably turn of the century or later.