Sawfish sword

Tim Simmons · 27th November 2015, 03:59 PM

End of.

Mercenary · 8th January 2016, 02:06 PM

I just wanted to post the image in the thread "Period Photos of People with Ethnographic Arms", but noticed that there are only photos. So I decided to put some more pictures and information.
From "Seventy two specimens of castes in India":

Mercenary · 8th January 2016, 02:11 PM

Some more images. And as I know in Italian journal in English will be published the articles of D.Miloserdov ("mahratt" on the forum) about the weapons from rostrum of sawfish in Indo-Persian region.

ariel · 9th January 2016, 12:11 AM

I guess there are three distinct groups of such "swords":

1. Genuine native examples . Those need to be treated with respect: their owners were true warriors who used the only materials available to them with imagination and dignity.

2. Scrimshaw examples made often (if not mostly) by bored sailors or beachcombers to pass time or just to enjoy the ability to fashion something pretty. Those are good examples of folk arts and crafts, with no connection to any military purpose or tradition. In the same category as trench art.

3. Pretentious mixes of true military parts ( handles mostly) and plain sawfish rostra, despite easy availability of true fighting blades. Those I would view as shameless pretenders, exotics for its own sake and ,- most likely,- touristy items. They have neither fighting purpose, nor artistic flair. Discussing them seriously is akin to pondering upon military significance of General Tso's chicken.

Mercenary · 9th January 2016, 10:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

I guess

Why guess? You have read the article in Russian. May I post your public review here? Your opinion will be very important for colleagues:

Quote:

Very good article: a detailed, sober and indisputable examples.
With respect.
Ariel

Mercenary · 11th January 2016, 08:39 PM

From Palace Museum of Forbidden City. Qing Dinasty:

Tim Simmons · 11th January 2016, 08:49 PM

Great contribution ! If you were to be slashed by a sawfish sword weapon you would be in a very poor state. I think it has been established that pre industrial communities used these natural resources as weapons. That is all I wanted to show in the beginning.

27th November 2015, 03:59 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,889	End of. Attached Images

8th January 2016, 02:06 PM	#2
Mercenary Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 428	I just wanted to post the image in the thread "Period Photos of People with Ethnographic Arms", but noticed that there are only photos. So I decided to put some more pictures and information. From "Seventy two specimens of castes in India": Attached Images

8th January 2016, 02:11 PM	#3
Mercenary Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 428	Some more images. And as I know in Italian journal in English will be published the articles of D.Miloserdov ("mahratt" on the forum) about the weapons from rostrum of sawfish in Indo-Persian region. Attached Images

11th January 2016, 08:39 PM	#6
Mercenary Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Moscow, Russia Posts: 428	From Palace Museum of Forbidden City. Qing Dinasty: Attached Images

9th January 2016, 12:11 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I guess there are three distinct groups of such "swords": 1. Genuine native examples . Those need to be treated with respect: their owners were true warriors who used the only materials available to them with imagination and dignity. 2. Scrimshaw examples made often (if not mostly) by bored sailors or beachcombers to pass time or just to enjoy the ability to fashion something pretty. Those are good examples of folk arts and crafts, with no connection to any military purpose or tradition. In the same category as trench art. 3. Pretentious mixes of true military parts ( handles mostly) and plain sawfish rostra, despite easy availability of true fighting blades. Those I would view as shameless pretenders, exotics for its own sake and ,- most likely,- touristy items. They have neither fighting purpose, nor artistic flair. Discussing them seriously is akin to pondering upon military significance of General Tso's chicken.

11th January 2016, 08:49 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,889	Great contribution ! If you were to be slashed by a sawfish sword weapon you would be in a very poor state. I think it has been established that pre industrial communities used these natural resources as weapons. That is all I wanted to show in the beginning.