Katar with a retractable blade for identification
 

Greetings, and thank you for your interest in the topic. I would kindly ask for your help in identifying this katar.
Overall length: 43 cm.
Length of the retractable blade: 18 cm.

I've always wondered if these were serious weapons, they don't look very functional.

The koftgari also looks more recent than older to me.

More photos

I'm sorry, but this is a low-quality piece probably made for those who travel for pleasure.

While there has been little traction here on the arms of India in recent years, it is hard to forget the fascination and intrigue that were in discussion often as we looked into these forms.

In India, the local rulers of the princely states held the 'durbar' or royal court gatherings as they discussed matters of state or engaged in diplomatic meetings with other rulers and officials. In these events, much of the ceremonial element included the enterprise of various local vendors as well as in particular the innovation and skills of the armorers displaying impressive weapons. Often these, as seen, had unusual features, styling and character.

These durbars were brought into huge dimension during the British Raj, in which there were three huge affairs which most closely resembled a 'worlds fair', in the ceremonial implementation of British Royalty into power in India overall.

These kinds of weapons were likely the sort of wares which were produced for acquisition by those who were present in these huge affairs as well as times surrounding them. While technically of course 'souvenirs' and not actually battle intended weapons, they are still significant as artifacts of the time created by armorers to impress and awe visitors during these events.

As has been noted, there is no pragmatic purpose for the hidden blade in this interesting example, however it imitates many of the katar forms which had become well known during the 19th century.

The rudimentary character of this example simply reflects this possibly being among number(s) of these produced for sale during these often flamboyant events in the latter 19th century, and having its own intrinsic value. These events of course often brought people from not only Great Britain but other countries wishing to experience these interesting cultures.

Thank you VernBorg for sharing it here :)

After dacades of collecting and reseach I recently bought a lemon. At least whst you have aquired has no faults other than being what it is. You are never too wise to get it wrong you just have to try to forget it even when ot hurts..

Well said Tim.

I agree.

This post has nothing to do with Indian arms, it concerns keris, but the principle is the same.

I once knew a very famous man who was a recognised authority on Indonesian art, & most particularly on Javanese art & Javanese keris, he has left us now.

But he was internationally known as the go-to expert for all things related to Javanese art, he assisted the writers of some very famous books & was highly respected as an authority on keris.

He was also wealthy beyond any common understanding of wealthy, & was a constant & ready buyer for keris & other artistic objects.

He was treasured by some less than honest craftsmen, modifiers & dealers in Jawa because of his readiness to buy any keris or keris-like object that was offered to him, provided it was something he had not previously seen.

At least one of these famous art books contains photos of keris & objects that were manufactured specifically for purchase by this famous expert & are identified in that book as being from a time long past.

The real experts in the world of art are the forgers, shonks & ripoff merchants.