I Need YOUR Expertise On This One!

jwpettipas · 16th December 2004, 03:20 AM

I'm new here, so I can't really be of much help. Although, I'm sure the other members of the forum will be, just reading over some of the posts, they've blown me away with their technical knowledge.

Although you said this isn't a show peice, I still think it's a really nice looking sword. Was that brass or copper I saw in the blade in that last picture there, or are my eyes deceiving me? (please excuse me if I'm way off)

Nice pictures, thanks for posting =) I hope somebody helps you out soon.

Andrew · 16th December 2004, 03:27 AM

You do, indeed, have a sword from Mainland Southeast Asia, commonly referred to as "dha" in Burmese and "darb", "daab", etc. in Thai. Others here, noteably Wilked, Mark Bowditch and RhysMichael are much more learned on the proper terminology than I.

The lathe-turned handle and polished blade are typical of the swords I've seen coming out of Thailand in recent years. In fact, I have a few very similar ones produced by the now defunct company Aranyik. The quality of this form of sword varies widely from complete tourist garbage to quite good. Your example looks to have some age to it, but I'd venture not much older than late 20th century, based on the lathe-turned handle.

The scabbard is unusual in that the terminus follows the shape of the blade. Usually, these are squared off or rounded. I think I recall somone recently posted another example of a Thai sword with this feature. Prior to this, the only sword of this type with a similar scabbard that I've seen was said to be from Cambodia.

Nice sword. Enjoy it.

wilked aka Khun Deng · 16th December 2004, 05:23 AM

I echo Andrew's comments with some additions. First, did you clean this sword up? Both the handle and blade look like they may have been and that would effect the estimation of age somewhat. The vegetal or kanok motif at the hilt is definately a Thai design almost identical to one used as an example in the "Silverware in Thailand" book I have. As Andrew says the handle is turned on a lathe which makes it 20th century and probably the later part. What intriques me is the blade has some heft and the heavy brass ferrule (is that a crack or a seam) say to me that it was meant to be used. The length would put it in the made for fighting category and not the utility blade category. The blade profile and handle are consistent with many depicted in statuary throughout Thailand. The scabbard throws me off, while I've seen a very few Thai blades with this type of scabbard , none have been on the more modern blades. As Andrew noted we believe this is more a Khmer feature but those generally have an angle at the blade hilt junction.

I have seen the modern blades currently made in Aranyik and the high-end functional ones have all had a machined steel ferrule with vestigal guard. The low-end stuff almost invariably has a thin brass ferrule with a thin brass cap nailed down around the blade as do those from Lampang. I have not seen the high-end blades from Lampang or Uttaradit though I'm told they have them. If you had said you picked this up in the northeast along the Thai/Cambodian border everything would fit but I know of no makers out that way (though my knowledge of makers in Thailand is by no means all encompassing)

You have a very nice functional Thai sword with a unique scabbard configuration that appears to be well made. Nice start

. In your email you said that you picked it up in Chatuchak market, if you don't mind and can recall which dealer did you pick it up from and what were his wares like (antiques, amulets, general merchandise...)

Welcome to the the forum!

Mark · 16th December 2004, 02:33 PM

Just looking at the scabbard, it doesn't seem to quite match the sword. The wood is obviously different, with a much wider grain and lighter color under the stain, and the bands seem to be iron rather than brass, which has been oxidized or patinated somehow. I have seen this technique on a couple modern pseudo-antiques out of China. So, the scabbard may be a later addition, and quite new (it appears to have almost no wear), which might explain the atypical tip.

I agree with origin and age of the blade. Though the blade seems of modern construction, there is still a little wear on the handle, so its not brand-new.

16th December 2004, 05:23 AM	#3
wilked aka Khun Deng Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oahu, Hawaii Posts: 166	Intriqueing I echo Andrew's comments with some additions. First, did you clean this sword up? Both the handle and blade look like they may have been and that would effect the estimation of age somewhat. The vegetal or kanok motif at the hilt is definately a Thai design almost identical to one used as an example in the "Silverware in Thailand" book I have. As Andrew says the handle is turned on a lathe which makes it 20th century and probably the later part. What intriques me is the blade has some heft and the heavy brass ferrule (is that a crack or a seam) say to me that it was meant to be used. The length would put it in the made for fighting category and not the utility blade category. The blade profile and handle are consistent with many depicted in statuary throughout Thailand. The scabbard throws me off, while I've seen a very few Thai blades with this type of scabbard , none have been on the more modern blades. As Andrew noted we believe this is more a Khmer feature but those generally have an angle at the blade hilt junction. I have seen the modern blades currently made in Aranyik and the high-end functional ones have all had a machined steel ferrule with vestigal guard. The low-end stuff almost invariably has a thin brass ferrule with a thin brass cap nailed down around the blade as do those from Lampang. I have not seen the high-end blades from Lampang or Uttaradit though I'm told they have them. If you had said you picked this up in the northeast along the Thai/Cambodian border everything would fit but I know of no makers out that way (though my knowledge of makers in Thailand is by no means all encompassing) You have a very nice functional Thai sword with a unique scabbard configuration that appears to be well made. Nice start . In your email you said that you picked it up in Chatuchak market, if you don't mind and can recall which dealer did you pick it up from and what were his wares like (antiques, amulets, general merchandise...) Welcome to the the forum!

16th December 2004, 03:20 AM	#1
jwpettipas Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 12	I'm new here, so I can't really be of much help. Although, I'm sure the other members of the forum will be, just reading over some of the posts, they've blown me away with their technical knowledge. Although you said this isn't a show peice, I still think it's a really nice looking sword. Was that brass or copper I saw in the blade in that last picture there, or are my eyes deceiving me? (please excuse me if I'm way off) Nice pictures, thanks for posting =) I hope somebody helps you out soon.

16th December 2004, 03:27 AM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	You do, indeed, have a sword from Mainland Southeast Asia, commonly referred to as "dha" in Burmese and "darb", "daab", etc. in Thai. Others here, noteably Wilked, Mark Bowditch and RhysMichael are much more learned on the proper terminology than I. The lathe-turned handle and polished blade are typical of the swords I've seen coming out of Thailand in recent years. In fact, I have a few very similar ones produced by the now defunct company Aranyik. The quality of this form of sword varies widely from complete tourist garbage to quite good. Your example looks to have some age to it, but I'd venture not much older than late 20th century, based on the lathe-turned handle. The scabbard is unusual in that the terminus follows the shape of the blade. Usually, these are squared off or rounded. I think I recall somone recently posted another example of a Thai sword with this feature. Prior to this, the only sword of this type with a similar scabbard that I've seen was said to be from Cambodia. Nice sword. Enjoy it.

16th December 2004, 02:33 PM	#4
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Just looking at the scabbard, it doesn't seem to quite match the sword. The wood is obviously different, with a much wider grain and lighter color under the stain, and the bands seem to be iron rather than brass, which has been oxidized or patinated somehow. I have seen this technique on a couple modern pseudo-antiques out of China. So, the scabbard may be a later addition, and quite new (it appears to have almost no wear), which might explain the atypical tip. I agree with origin and age of the blade. Though the blade seems of modern construction, there is still a little wear on the handle, so its not brand-new.