Indian Persian 18thc tulwar khanda sword?

HUSAR · 15th March 2010, 10:45 AM

I think this is North Africa will try to post some scans of the swords from collection in Dresden

ALEX · 15th March 2010, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HUSAR

I think this is North Africa will try to post some scans of the swords from collection in Dresden

I think it's a good quess, Husar. How about Morocco/Berber?

ariel · 15th March 2010, 11:19 AM

Well, we seem to be reviving the same old discussion with the same arguments and the same ideas ( Afghanistan, North Africa...).
I read the old threads and got nostalgic. So many interesting people left, so much passion gone, so much drivel of "critical thinking" no longer brightens the day...
Yes, the girls used to be prettier, and the steaks juicier, and the the ice cream cooler..

HUSAR · 15th March 2010, 05:49 PM

promised pictures

Emanuel · 17th March 2010, 04:46 PM

Hello,

I vote for hybrid takouba-nimcha design. I don't think it's as old as 19th century

The brass work brings to mind Touareg work - see attached Oriental-Arms pics.
If the blade didn't look so thick I'd have voted for a modified machete.

Emanuel

Atlantia · 17th March 2010, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emanuel

Hello,

I vote for hybrid takouba-nimcha design. I don't think it's as old as 19th century

The brass work brings to mind Touareg work - see attached Oriental-Arms pics.
If the blade didn't look so thick I'd have voted for a modified machete.

Emanuel

I totally agree with North African. The handle looks Moroccan.
I would date it to mid 19th though.
Altogether a rather nice and interesting piece, almost looks like it was made to lop heads or hands off.

tom hyle · 23rd March 2010, 04:22 AM

I'm thinking Indian or Afghan. Note the swelled tip slightly forward SE blade. Note the peacock. I think those are flowers. Also the hilt seems to be a fairly sturdy brass construction; probably filled with pitch rather than a wooden hilt covered with sheet brass as often seen on Berbese work. The finger "stall" may be a Turkish feature; in any event it spread throughout their empire. Blade is most like a khanda. Also note the curve of the knucklebow, which is more Indian than African. Cool sword. Any visible solder joints on the hilt?

katana · 23rd March 2010, 02:14 PM

I also believe North India/Afghanistan regions. Although the blade form is different, I am reminded of the Kopis.

Seems to have been used often....judging by the wear on the handle. The hilt is perfect for 'chopping' strikes or perhaps as a sacrificial short sword (Ram Dao).

Bearing in mind the Kopis spread across Northern India and Persia, it is not unreasonable to think variants may still exist in some areas. Below are some line drawings from "El Armamento Iberico" Fernando Quesada which helps to tie the hilt to the Kopis/Falcata. But could add weight to the arguement that North Africa could be a possible source !!!

The guard looks typical for Indian weapons as does much of the decoration, which seems to dismiss the African connection. Perhaps this was a commisioned piece made in Africa with design elements from India ???

What ever it is I like it.

Regards David

15th March 2010, 05:49 PM	#4
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	promised pictures Attached Images

17th March 2010, 04:46 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	North-Africa / Sahel Hello, I vote for hybrid takouba-nimcha design. I don't think it's as old as 19th century The brass work brings to mind Touareg work - see attached Oriental-Arms pics. If the blade didn't look so thick I'd have voted for a modified machete. Emanuel Attached Images

23rd March 2010, 04:22 AM	#7
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	indian or Afghan I'm thinking Indian or Afghan. Note the swelled tip slightly forward SE blade. Note the peacock. I think those are flowers. Also the hilt seems to be a fairly sturdy brass construction; probably filled with pitch rather than a wooden hilt covered with sheet brass as often seen on Berbese work. The finger "stall" may be a Turkish feature; in any event it spread throughout their empire. Blade is most like a khanda. Also note the curve of the knucklebow, which is more Indian than African. Cool sword. Any visible solder joints on the hilt?

23rd March 2010, 02:14 PM	#8
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I also believe North India/Afghanistan regions. Although the blade form is different, I am reminded of the Kopis. Seems to have been used often....judging by the wear on the handle. The hilt is perfect for 'chopping' strikes or perhaps as a sacrificial short sword (Ram Dao). Bearing in mind the Kopis spread across Northern India and Persia, it is not unreasonable to think variants may still exist in some areas. Below are some line drawings from "El Armamento Iberico" Fernando Quesada which helps to tie the hilt to the Kopis/Falcata. But could add weight to the arguement that North Africa could be a possible source !!! The guard looks typical for Indian weapons as does much of the decoration, which seems to dismiss the African connection. Perhaps this was a commisioned piece made in Africa with design elements from India ??? What ever it is I like it. Regards David Attached Images

15th March 2010, 10:45 AM	#1
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	I think this is North Africa will try to post some scans of the swords from collection in Dresden

15th March 2010, 11:19 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Well, we seem to be reviving the same old discussion with the same arguments and the same ideas ( Afghanistan, North Africa...). I read the old threads and got nostalgic. So many interesting people left, so much passion gone, so much drivel of "critical thinking" no longer brightens the day... Yes, the girls used to be prettier, and the steaks juicier, and the the ice cream cooler..