ivory handle burmese? sword for id and discussion please

[kahnjar1]

This might also be of interest http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/
Go to "Sword Index" section. If you click on the images you will get a description of each.
Stu

[Ian]

Hi CHK:

I'm sorry I'm coming to this a little late.

I agree with Detlef that your sword is N. Thai/Lao in origin and from the Rattanakosin period, maybe early to mid-19th C. I have a similar, hua bua tipped sword from the early Rattanakosin period (as dated from the silverwork on the scabbard)--pictures below. The hua bua tip is based on the shape of the lotus bud, and there are many variations. As you can see, the tip on mine is a little different from yours, but the purpose was similar. There are martial arts techniques that employed this tip to inflict a painful jab to the sword hand or arm of an opponent, temporarily distracting him and allowing a slashing blow to a more vital structure. These swords were intended mainly for close hand fighting, including indoors, and were sometimes used by bodyguards specifically trained in the use of this particular sword.

Ian.


.

[chiefheadknocker]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi CHK:

I'm sorry I'm coming to this a little late.

I agree with Detlef that your sword is N. Thai/Lao in origin and from the Rattanakosin period, maybe early to mid-19th C. I have a similar, hua bua tipped sword from the early Rattanakosin period (as dated from the silverwork on the scabbard)--pictures below. The hua bua tip is based on the shape of the lotus bud, and there are many variations. As you can see, the tip on mine is a little different from yours, but the purpose was similar. There are martial arts techniques that employed this tip to inflict a painful jab to the sword hand or arm of an opponent, temporarily distracting him and allowing a slashing blow to a more vital structure. These swords were intended mainly for close hand fighting, including indoors, and were sometimes used by bodyguards specifically trained in the use of this particular sword.

Ian.


.

Hi ian, thanks for your valuable information , I can imagine its a great sword for close hand fighting the sword has quite a curve and is razor sharp , when I first acquired it I wondered if it was was more of a dress type sword ,I don't know how often swords came into use in the 19th century ,I daresay life could of been quite violent and brutal ,
thanks
chn

[Ian]

Originally Posted by chiefheadknocker

Hi ian, thanks for your valuable information , I can imagine its a great sword for close hand fighting the sword has quite a curve and is razor sharp , when I first acquired it I wondered if it was was more of a dress type sword ,I don't know how often swords came into use in the 19th century ,I daresay life could of been quite violent and brutal ,
thanks
chn

Swords in these areas were in common fighting use during the 19th C, especially before the introduction of firearms, and were used in combat and village raids well into the late 19th and early 20th C. Various unadorned dha/daab have always been used for non-combat purposes as well—such as brush clearing, cutting firewood, slaughtering animals, etc—and those uses continue up to the present.

Your example is clearly a prestige weapon, with its ivory and silver hilt, designed as much for show as for combat. The blade looks good quality and, as you say, it is razor sharp.