filled wholes on indian sword blades

Jim McDougall · 28th September 2008, 07:30 AM

While this may not be directly relevant to an Indian khanda of 17th or 18th century, it seems that a reference I happened upon is worthy of note. In "The Sword in Anglo Saxon England" (H.R.Ellis Davidson, 1962, p.115) there is reference describing the Al Kindi writing on swords, and referring to the pattern welded Frankish swords of the 9th century and later. It is noted that when the treatment of the blade is completed, some of the blades are marked in the upper part with moons or crosses of bronze or gold.....and sometimes a nail of bronze or gold is hammered into a hole in the blade.

This translated reference in the Ellis Davidson book is from a 1936 work by A. Zeki Velidi, being taken, as noted, from Al Kindi.

Perhaps this very early practice, which seems to have had some sort of quality or talismanic properties, could possibly have reached swordsmiths in India. It has already been established that filled holes in blades is found in a number of regions over considerable periods of time.

While we can only speculate on what this practice might mean, or if there is any connections in it between these varying cultures and over time, it did seem worthy of note here.

All best regards,
Jim

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Threaded Mode

28th September 2008, 07:30 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	While this may not be directly relevant to an Indian khanda of 17th or 18th century, it seems that a reference I happened upon is worthy of note. In "The Sword in Anglo Saxon England" (H.R.Ellis Davidson, 1962, p.115) there is reference describing the Al Kindi writing on swords, and referring to the pattern welded Frankish swords of the 9th century and later. It is noted that when the treatment of the blade is completed, some of the blades are marked in the upper part with moons or crosses of bronze or gold.....and sometimes a nail of bronze or gold is hammered into a hole in the blade. This translated reference in the Ellis Davidson book is from a 1936 work by A. Zeki Velidi, being taken, as noted, from Al Kindi. Perhaps this very early practice, which seems to have had some sort of quality or talismanic properties, could possibly have reached swordsmiths in India. It has already been established that filled holes in blades is found in a number of regions over considerable periods of time. While we can only speculate on what this practice might mean, or if there is any connections in it between these varying cultures and over time, it did seem worthy of note here. All best regards, Jim