?1900s Indian Army saber?

RobT · 3rd November 2017, 12:37 AM

Jim,
Happy to help out. The same sort of thing goes on with a lot of the Royal Nepalese khukri (see Guns of the Gurkhas by John Walters). The battalion abbreviation plus the battalion unit and weapon numbers are frequently inscribed on the spine. Save for the 6, 7, and 10, the Devangari numbers used on the khukri are pretty much the same as the Gujarati numbers. As an interesting aside, it would appear that the so called Arabic numbers were actually a Hindu invention and that invention also included the concept (and digit) of zero. The Moslems picked-up the numbers from the Hindus and in turn gave them to the Christians.

Sincerely,
RobT

RobT · 3rd November 2017, 01:14 AM

I meant to say that the Gujarati and Devangari numbers 6, 7, and 9 are dissimilar. Sorry about that.

Sincerely,
RobT

Tim Simmons · 3rd November 2017, 01:21 PM

Very good. here we can see the late 19th century Lancers with the same sword. Front row second from the left.

What a shame that the owner or owners after me should damage the scabbard even more rather than try to repair or re-tip with metal.

Tim Simmons · 3rd November 2017, 01:35 PM

WW1 19th lancers. That chap really does carry the sword in question.

Jens Nordlunde · 3rd November 2017, 03:22 PM

Here is another one.Showing the later Major-General Richard Hilton together with some Indian officers. I dont know when the picture was taken, but it was before WWII started.
Richard Hilton did service in India for fifteen years, and was especially fond of working with the Indian regiments.

Jim McDougall · 3rd November 2017, 06:42 PM

Tim and Jen, thank you guys so much for these most helpful photos!!!!
It really means a lot to see the weapons we discuss in real time images and in use.

3rd November 2017, 12:37 AM	#1
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Glad I Could Help Jim, Happy to help out. The same sort of thing goes on with a lot of the Royal Nepalese khukri (see Guns of the Gurkhas by John Walters). The battalion abbreviation plus the battalion unit and weapon numbers are frequently inscribed on the spine. Save for the 6, 7, and 10, the Devangari numbers used on the khukri are pretty much the same as the Gujarati numbers. As an interesting aside, it would appear that the so called Arabic numbers were actually a Hindu invention and that invention also included the concept (and digit) of zero. The Moslems picked-up the numbers from the Hindus and in turn gave them to the Christians. Sincerely, RobT

3rd November 2017, 01:14 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 548	Whoops I meant to say that the Gujarati and Devangari numbers 6, 7, and 9 are dissimilar. Sorry about that. Sincerely, RobT

3rd November 2017, 01:21 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	Very good. here we can see the late 19th century Lancers with the same sword. Front row second from the left. What a shame that the owner or owners after me should damage the scabbard even more rather than try to repair or re-tip with metal. Attached Images

3rd November 2017, 01:35 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,854	WW1 19th lancers. That chap really does carry the sword in question. Attached Images

3rd November 2017, 03:22 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Here is another one.Showing the later Major-General Richard Hilton together with some Indian officers. I dont know when the picture was taken, but it was before WWII started. Richard Hilton did service in India for fifteen years, and was especially fond of working with the Indian regiments. Attached Images Last edited by Jens Nordlunde; 3rd November 2017 at 04:29 PM.

3rd November 2017, 06:42 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Tim and Jen, thank you guys so much for these most helpful photos!!!! It really means a lot to see the weapons we discuss in real time images and in use.