An extremely unique Indopersian double bladed short sword, ID berde!

[Ian]

Very odd. Condition looks more recent than 19th C.

[ariel]

I agree. Optimistically late 20th, realistically 21st century. I remember seeing a couple of them on E-bay over the past couple of years.

Pretty risky and impractical design: one would almost instinctively try to catch the opponent’s blade between the double blades. With the resultant loss of fingers.

[mariusgmioc]

To me, this looks like a very recent fantasy weapon.

Absolutely not practical as it cannot provide a stable grip.

[manishkulkarni]

Thanks guys, apreciate your comments! Although a bit startled that you don't assess this as belonging to 19th century. I acquired this from Lanes Armoury which apparently is an old and very respected business operated by two brothers who're well-known experts. I've the CoA however doesn't state the era but does mention Indonesian. I spoke with one of the partners and their view is late 19th century and they bought it as part of a collection from an old english family.

{Links to sellers' pages with active items listed are not allowed.}

Oh well, I'll keep hold of it, an unusual contraption and I don't believe these guys would sell fakes being in the business for some 50 yrs!

[Tim Simmons]

http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/

probably best to make no comments.

[mariusgmioc]

Hello Tim,

I am afraid I do not understand what you mean?!

[drac2k]

As a hand weapon, it looks impractical, however, I could see it as an "Indonesian-ish," spearhead; does it look like it had a provision in the past to secure it to a haft before being modified?

[francantolin]

Hello,

maybe a modified spearhead like this one,
or a fantasy dagger ( with the easy finger cut as Ariel said...)

[Rick]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/

probably best to make no comments.

Agree with you, Tim.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

http://www.thelanesarmoury.co.uk/

probably best to make no comments.

Yes, good choice Tim.

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by Ian

Yes, good choice Tim.

Quite so !

[David]

Originally Posted by manishkulkarni

Oh well, I'll keep hold of it, an unusual contraption and I don't believe these guys would sell fakes being in the business for some 50 yrs!

There is a big difference between intentionally selling fakes and being terribly misinformed about what you are selling. The one thing i will say about the sellers is that they do not seem to specialize or even focus on Indo-persian edged weapons so their expertise in this genre of collecting has certainly not been established.
As has already been pointed out, this would be a very impractical weapon. If it looked like there was once a way to attach this to a shaft to be used as a spear that might make some sense, but as a hand weapon this would undoubtably be a failure in design.Though it appears to be well made i personally would lean towards late 20th century fantasy weapon. Sorry. It's not really a matter of the respectability of the sellers as much as simple observation and simple logic of how hand weapons work (or don't in this case) that lead me to this assessment.

[Oliver Pinchot]

Originally Posted by David

There is a big difference between intentionally selling fakes and being terribly misinformed about what you are selling. The one thing i will say about the sellers is that they do not seem to specialize or even focus on Indo-persian edged weapons so their expertise in this genre of collecting has certainly not been established.
As has already been pointed out, this would be a very impractical weapon. If it looked like there was once a way to attach this to a shaft to be used as a spear that might make some sense, but as a hand weapon this would undoubtably be a failure in design.Though it appears to be well made i personally would lean towards late 20th century fantasy weapon. Sorry. It's not really a matter of the respectability of the sellers as much as simple observation and simple logic of how hand weapons work (or don't in this case) that lead me to this assessment.

Standing ovation, David.

Manishkukarni, imagine how helpful it would have been if you had allowed us to see the whole object instead of your hand and same.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Standing ovation, David.

Manishkukarni, imagine how helpful it would have been if you had allowed us to see the whole object instead of your hand and same.

...or in addition to, rather than instead of... You can of course still add another photo to improve the thread.

(I also gree it appears to be a modern fantasy piece and awkward to use in combat.)

[manishkulkarni]

Originally Posted by David

There is a big difference between intentionally selling fakes and being terribly misinformed about what you are selling. The one thing i will say about the sellers is that they do not seem to specialize or even focus on Indo-persian edged weapons so their expertise in this genre of collecting has certainly not been established.
As has already been pointed out, this would be a very impractical weapon. If it looked like there was once a way to attach this to a shaft to be used as a spear that might make some sense, but as a hand weapon this would undoubtably be a failure in design.Though it appears to be well made i personally would lean towards late 20th century fantasy weapon. Sorry. It's not really a matter of the respectability of the sellers as much as simple observation and simple logic of how hand weapons work (or don't in this case) that lead me to this assessment.

All and David in particular, many thanks for your insight and understood - it still leaves me very disappointed if this is late 20th rather than late 19th as claimed by the dealer. Unfortunately the week's return warranty has passed so not much hope of asking a refund I guess...

Here're some more close-ups and I see absolutely no sign of a joint or this previously being mount atop a spear.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by manishkulkarni

... Unfortunately the week's return warranty has passed so not much hope of asking a refund I guess ...

Always worth asking. This piece was most likely made in Rajastan where a lot of reproduction, reassembled, and fantasy pieces are fabricated. Lahore is another possibility. The cast brass "handle" is of low quality, with many small defects from casting flaws, another indicator of likely recent manufacture.