Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1116 - Indian Small Knife with Copper Alloy Hilt Scales

The overall form of this small knife suggests origin from Kerala in southern India, however knives of this style with the widened back are also known from elsewhere in India and the file work on the tang suggests Rajasthan. The 6 inch (15.4 cm) single edge blade curves convexly along the back and along the edge to a moderately acute point. The blade has a 'T' cross section as the back widens to 0.26 inch (0.66 cm) from faces with a thickness of 0.08 inch (0.2 cm) that thickens ever so slightly before the start of the edge bevel. There is some denting of the spine suspicious of an attempt to use this as a chisel and mild pitting and abrasions on the faces of the blade; also a small forging flaw extends a short distance from the bolster on one side. The blade originates from a octagonal integral bolster and has a full tang to which have been affixed scales of nicely patinated copper alloy following the contour of the tang including the turn back at the far end. The appearance of this knife is consistent with it having been made in the 19th century. Overall length is 9¾ inches (24.5 cm) with a weight of 5 ounces (144 grams).


Indian Small Knife with Copper Alloy Hilt Scales

Indian Small Knife with Copper Alloy Hilt Scales

Indian Small Knife with Copper Alloy Hilt Scales

Indian Small Knife with Copper Alloy Hilt Scales



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