Massive Indian Khanda Hilted Firangi

Kmaddock · 8th August 2020, 09:20 AM

Hi All

I just purchased the attached item, a huge sword with another Firangi included in the pictures for scale.

I am calling it a firangi but not getting into debate if blade is european or not, straight blade and leave it at this ;-)

Blade length is 99 cm with handle a further 18 cm.

Blade width is 6cm at widest but continues this length for most of the blase
sharp on one side only, and it is sharp.

Blade is light for size though as blade is quiet concave back of blade is 6mm for most of the length, nice springy blade of good quality.

Quiet rusty at moment but ii think under the rust is a good condition blade.

Handle is normal enough in form but just big and not overly decorative
fits my large hand well.

Has muslin like wrapping on handle and was also bound with string at one point.

Came from a v old collection indian items, all of very high quality abet rusty from bad storage.

I have ideas but i am wondering if anyone has any opinion before i put up my ideas.

Kind regards to all,

Ken

ariel · 8th August 2020, 02:25 PM

A straight single-edged sword with the edge on the side of D-guard: strictly speaking this is a Kirach ( or Kirch).

Very nice. A good rub over WD40 will bring it back to its former glory.

Must be very heavy ; the owner must have practiced body building fortified with anabolic steroids:-)

kronckew · 8th August 2020, 04:41 PM

Weight?

Kmaddock · 8th August 2020, 05:48 PM

sorry forgot the stats.

large sword is 1.90kg
smaller sword I am using to compare is .95kg

so heavy but not impossible to wield and is well balanced and comfortable, (I am of stocky build 5 foot 8 in height)

Has a good edge so I am going for either a ritual procession sword or an animal sacrifice sword. Both opinions based on sheer guess work with no references at all.

what do you think?

Thanks

Ken

Jens Nordlunde · 8th August 2020, 10:19 PM

Jain - meaning yes and no. In almost all the states of India there are stories of gigant warriors. Just think of Anup Sing's brother from Bikaner, who had to get weapons especially made for him.

Kmaddock · 9th August 2020, 11:15 AM

Thanks for comments
would anyone have an opinion on age of the sword?
Regards
Ken

Nihl · 9th August 2020, 10:05 PM

In regards to the age, based on the simplicity of the hilt design alone I would guess that it's from the 18th century. Based on the very odd (almost completely idiosyncratic) short and stubby pommel spike, however, I would give it a later date, like being from the 17th or even 16th century (this given that khanda/firangi hilts with atypical pommel spike designs seem to be more common in earlier periods than later ones).

Are there any decorations/carvings remaining on the hilt? Older hilts (at least in south/central India - where this sword is likely from) tend to have more designs engraved/carved/chiseled into them, where as later ones were more simplistic in nature.

Overall though I would say it's likely 17th century.

8th August 2020, 09:20 AM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Massive Indian Khanda Hilted Firangi Hi All I just purchased the attached item, a huge sword with another Firangi included in the pictures for scale. I am calling it a firangi but not getting into debate if blade is european or not, straight blade and leave it at this ;-) Blade length is 99 cm with handle a further 18 cm. Blade width is 6cm at widest but continues this length for most of the blase sharp on one side only, and it is sharp. Blade is light for size though as blade is quiet concave back of blade is 6mm for most of the length, nice springy blade of good quality. Quiet rusty at moment but ii think under the rust is a good condition blade. Handle is normal enough in form but just big and not overly decorative fits my large hand well. Has muslin like wrapping on handle and was also bound with string at one point. Came from a v old collection indian items, all of very high quality abet rusty from bad storage. I have ideas but i am wondering if anyone has any opinion before i put up my ideas. Kind regards to all, Ken Attached Images

8th August 2020, 02:25 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A straight single-edged sword with the edge on the side of D-guard: strictly speaking this is a Kirach ( or Kirch). Very nice. A good rub over WD40 will bring it back to its former glory. Must be very heavy ; the owner must have practiced body building fortified with anabolic steroids:-)

8th August 2020, 04:41 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,186	Weight?

8th August 2020, 05:48 PM	#4
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	sorry forgot the stats. large sword is 1.90kg smaller sword I am using to compare is .95kg so heavy but not impossible to wield and is well balanced and comfortable, (I am of stocky build 5 foot 8 in height) Has a good edge so I am going for either a ritual procession sword or an animal sacrifice sword. Both opinions based on sheer guess work with no references at all. what do you think? Thanks Ken

8th August 2020, 10:19 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Jain - meaning yes and no. In almost all the states of India there are stories of gigant warriors. Just think of Anup Sing's brother from Bikaner, who had to get weapons especially made for him.

9th August 2020, 11:15 AM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks for comments would anyone have an opinion on age of the sword? Regards Ken

9th August 2020, 10:05 PM	#7
Nihl Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 90	In regards to the age, based on the simplicity of the hilt design alone I would guess that it's from the 18th century. Based on the very odd (almost completely idiosyncratic) short and stubby pommel spike, however, I would give it a later date, like being from the 17th or even 16th century (this given that khanda/firangi hilts with atypical pommel spike designs seem to be more common in earlier periods than later ones). Are there any decorations/carvings remaining on the hilt? Older hilts (at least in south/central India - where this sword is likely from) tend to have more designs engraved/carved/chiseled into them, where as later ones were more simplistic in nature. Overall though I would say it's likely 17th century.