A Unique Kattar?

[Jim McDougall]

In further assessment of this most interesting weapon, it has been suggested to me that the hilt seems incongruous to the blade and is quite likely considerably older than the blade. The style of the hilt itself seems to correspond with katars from Tanjore and Srirangam from 17th and 18th centuries, with the arched cup shape on the base of the hilt and the highly decorated, flared parallel bars holding the transverse grips, also quite similar to these.

It seems that often in observing a weapon, one can sometimes be remiss in failing to see such details if they are caught up in the appearance of the weapon overall.....at least in my case here. It is important to remember that even weapons that have been reconfigured or remounted are typically not diminished in importance if that event takes place during its working life, including ceremonial or parade items.

While the potentially earlier hilt has been joined with a most interesting blade that as mentioned could be somehow associated to the Mysori weapons of Tipu, it might also be commemorative and of 19th c. Even after Tipu's defeat at Seringpatam, there were considerable examples of such weapons that were involved in diplomatic affairs for some time into the 19th c. It would be difficult to determine exactly what manner this might apply to this weapon, but considering the possibilities for the components themselves, the historical quality remains.

I have thought more on the holes also, and though the thought of attaching mail sounded interesting ( it seems this is sometimes done on kampilans in the Philippines), it does not seem plausible here. It does seem unusual for these holes drilled in rather unaligned appearance to be there by design, but I am wondering if they might be of a size that might be for screws or pins to attach a guard. Many of the Tanjore katars had a shell type guard that was attached at about this location and flared up to cover the hand.

[RSWORD]

I have enjoyed this piece and the discussion to date. Just wanted to add a few things to the discussion. In regards to the "pin holes" I am wondering if they were placed there as a means to help apply a decorative silver foil. I recall reading somewhere that many of the pattisa you see with handles full of "pin holes" may have originally been covered in silver sheet and these holes serve as a means of helping to hold the silver to the handle. Perhaps the background area had something similar that has since worn away with time and age.

In regards to whether or not the blade and hilt were born together I would suggest that they are not. When you look at 2 key areas, one being the rivet attaching handle to blade, you do not see a lot of patina or wear around that rivet that you would expect after a few centuries of wear. Matter of fact, the koftgari of the handle seems to not take the rivet into consideration suggestion it was a later add on. Also, when you look at the areas between blade and hilt, again there is a lack of patina suggesting they have been together a long time. The tiger koftgari is complete and doesn't show patina beneath and around the edges of the handle, nor, does the blade. Given that those areas are extremely difficult to get to during a routine cleaning they often accumulate a lot of grime over a long period of time and this is not present or at least not from the pictures provided. I would examine these areas closely for some evidence of patina and dirt/grime to confirm it was at least brought together in the 19th century and not more recently.

[ward]

I dought there was mail ever attached and I would have to see closer pics to determine if a hood was attached. On 1st blush I would say no. There is nothing wrong with 19th century pieces or in period reworked pieces.