new sword

Jim McDougall · 10th December 2007, 03:46 AM

Interesting question on the serrated edge on this sabre, and again there are specific terms that describe blades that are serrated on one side or both (in Pant) but since I no longer have the book handy I must defer on reference to someone who does. I did find a reference from Pant in previous notes regarding these serrations, "...it is said that these swords were used against armour, but since these were not found very suitable by the soldiers, abandoned in the late 17th century". (Pant. pp.56-57).

While the serration on a cutting surface may well accent its cutting action, it seems odd that it would be on the back of a sabre as well, since that part of the blade would not be used.

According to E.Jaiwent Paul, ("Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India", pp.139,140) the rams head hilt was used on edged weapons from Rajasthan (Jaipur) in the late 17th century and was apparantly a popular theme on both daggers and sabres hilts into the 18th century.

This of course suggests this sabre is a Rajput weapon, as the ram is key in Hindu mythology as the mount of Agni, the Hindu god of fire. In the complex lineage of the Rajputs, one of the three basic lines (of a total 36 clans) is that of Agnivanshi (vansha= lineage).

Returning to the serration on the blade, Rajputs disdained using the tip of the sword in combat, emphasizing the importance of slashing cuts.

The suggestion from these findings is of course that this sabre is certainly of a vintage form, but difficult to determine age without actual handling and close examination. In any case, a very attractive and desirable sabre!

All best regards,
Jim

10th December 2007, 03:46 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Interesting question on the serrated edge on this sabre, and again there are specific terms that describe blades that are serrated on one side or both (in Pant) but since I no longer have the book handy I must defer on reference to someone who does. I did find a reference from Pant in previous notes regarding these serrations, "...it is said that these swords were used against armour, but since these were not found very suitable by the soldiers, abandoned in the late 17th century". (Pant. pp.56-57). While the serration on a cutting surface may well accent its cutting action, it seems odd that it would be on the back of a sabre as well, since that part of the blade would not be used. According to E.Jaiwent Paul, ("Arms and Armour: Traditional Weapons of India", pp.139,140) the rams head hilt was used on edged weapons from Rajasthan (Jaipur) in the late 17th century and was apparantly a popular theme on both daggers and sabres hilts into the 18th century. This of course suggests this sabre is a Rajput weapon, as the ram is key in Hindu mythology as the mount of Agni, the Hindu god of fire. In the complex lineage of the Rajputs, one of the three basic lines (of a total 36 clans) is that of Agnivanshi (vansha= lineage). Returning to the serration on the blade, Rajputs disdained using the tip of the sword in combat, emphasizing the importance of slashing cuts. The suggestion from these findings is of course that this sabre is certainly of a vintage form, but difficult to determine age without actual handling and close examination. In any case, a very attractive and desirable sabre! All best regards, Jim