Indian Tulwar with Rare Hand Guard

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Kubur, try Sultans of the South. Arts of Indian's Deccan Courts 1323-1687. The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2008. Robert Elgood, Swords in the Deccan in the Sixteenth and Sewenteenth Centuries; Their Manufacture and the Influence of European Imports. Pp. 218-233.

Hi Jens,
Yes I mentionned it and I think your date is no correct, it's 2011.
For the other members who don't have access to the reference that i mentionned, i scanned the pages.
Ramba it might be interesting for you...
Kubur

[Kubur]

the other pages

[RAMBA]

Originally Posted by Kubur

the other pages

Thanks Kubur - this makes it all very interesting - This is why one posts these things up to get a good discussion going. I do see the similar styles here.

[RAMBA]

I have uploaded some more images.

[MForde]

Regarding guard additions and perforations I share two I've had with those features (hopefully I can attach the photos correctly):

[Edward F]

The half guard is not found to often,i always felt that it was a transitional variation

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Edward F

The half guard is not found to often,i always felt that it was a transitional variation

Hi Edward,
That is a most reasonable observation, but in many ethnographic forms, especially in India, there is typically not a linear progression in hilt development, or at least that can be defined accurately.

Most weapon forms are very traditional, and take from early types, but often with subtle and often very regional or sometimes personal preference features. The 'tulwar' (with 'Indo Persian' hilt) for example, often has certain features which some have tried to characterize regionally, or into periods, but this has proven mostly futile. In most cases such things are accomplished by looking into decoration aspects.

In the case of these half guards, it would seem as has been shown, that there was certain favor toward these kinds of hilt elements which were seen on some of the 'chilanum' type daggers. It is not uncommon to see such transfer of dagger hilt styles (invariably personal) to full size swords in cases to more personalize them as well.

I suppose what I am trying to say is that in India, variation was not unusual with traditional hilt forms which were in use for centuries with no notable changes in a progressive style overall. That is perhaps what is so exciting and challenging about identifying them.

[Katar_arms]

Originally Posted by RAMBA

I have uploaded some more images.

Just a side note, that could very well be a patterned blade, welded or better. Hilts such as these tended to be favoured by the upper classes and tended to have better blades than most. I have a very similar one with a copper dome similar to that of a pulwar that sits atop its semi-basket hilt. Would interest me to know why that is even there, I'll post pictures...eventually. First post, so still getting used to the etiquette

[Jens Nordlunde]

Here is another Patissa. Western India. Probably late 15th century. Total length 100 cm, blade length 89 cm. See cat. pp. 350-353.

[Jens Nordlunde]

Here is another picture.