Ram's Head sword Help

Jim McDougall · 17th September 2008, 01:01 AM

These items are most interesting, and seem like relatively modern representations of earlier weapons, but probably more intended for possibly parade or ceremonial use. The rams head pommel application is one of a number of zoomorphic hilts of India, in this case termed 'meshamukhi' (lit. =sheep head) noted briefly in Pant ("Indian Arms & Armour, p.113).

These seem used on tulwar hilts from late 17th century into the 18th, but this cast example is much later, probably 19th c. It seems that the rams head was quite popular in Rajasthan and in E. Jaiwent Paul (p.138 and p.140, "Arms and Armour:Traditional Weapons of India") examples of rams head hilts are shown, one from Jaipur (Rajasthan). Apparantly the ram symbolism is prevalent in not only India but into ancient lore extending to the Celts and other groups.

The double rams head representations on the dramatically recurved bladed swords seem historically motivated with the hilt design recalling that of the chilanum daggers, which in turn seem to recall ancient anthromorphic hilts from as early as the Hallstadt culture. The rams heads paired again seems to suggest ceremonial intent, and the recurved blades suggest those that we have discussed as 'Black Sea yataghan/Laz bicagi" which derive from 19th century Turkish regions, and Ottoman influence.
These are definitely unique, which is why I dont believe they would be for tourist appeal, but more carrying historic symbolism for either parade or ceremonial use, and more modern.

17th September 2008, 01:01 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	These items are most interesting, and seem like relatively modern representations of earlier weapons, but probably more intended for possibly parade or ceremonial use. The rams head pommel application is one of a number of zoomorphic hilts of India, in this case termed 'meshamukhi' (lit. =sheep head) noted briefly in Pant ("Indian Arms & Armour, p.113). These seem used on tulwar hilts from late 17th century into the 18th, but this cast example is much later, probably 19th c. It seems that the rams head was quite popular in Rajasthan and in E. Jaiwent Paul (p.138 and p.140, "Arms and Armour:Traditional Weapons of India") examples of rams head hilts are shown, one from Jaipur (Rajasthan). Apparantly the ram symbolism is prevalent in not only India but into ancient lore extending to the Celts and other groups. The double rams head representations on the dramatically recurved bladed swords seem historically motivated with the hilt design recalling that of the chilanum daggers, which in turn seem to recall ancient anthromorphic hilts from as early as the Hallstadt culture. The rams heads paired again seems to suggest ceremonial intent, and the recurved blades suggest those that we have discussed as 'Black Sea yataghan/Laz bicagi" which derive from 19th century Turkish regions, and Ottoman influence. These are definitely unique, which is why I dont believe they would be for tourist appeal, but more carrying historic symbolism for either parade or ceremonial use, and more modern.