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Originally Posted by Mark Bowditch
True, under the Greaves-Winston typology. However, recent information & a sudden flash of insight have me believing that these are Burman, meaning the ethnic group in Burma proper, as opposed to the ethnically Tai Shans of the Shan States in Burma (BTW, the groups in the G-W system are made broad & don't strictly reflect ethnic origin).
I have recently seen photos of Burmese martial arts practicioners who are holding these short-gripped, simple-handled dha. Two-handed forms, actually; very cool. Also this exact form is often found with the koftgari on the blade, which we have learned is an exclusively Burman decoration. That is what really drew the connection for me. I guess I've been holding back from the group. 
A Burman dha with koftgari (from Andrew's collection): |
Man, we really do need to revisit the original typology, Mark.
Among other things, the Burman and Thai classifications have crystalized, while "Kachin" and "Shan" have blurred.
I think we'll have more time soon, once some other projects wrap up.