Hi Rumpel,
There are a few of these large dha around, and they seem to get recycled among collectors. I have one that was previously owned by two other members of this Forum.
These are sometimes called "elephant dha" from their supposed use by an elephant holding such a sword in its trunk, but there is little supporting evidence for such a use. Others have thought them to be ceremonial in nature, especially given the ivory and silver hilts seen on these massive blades. They do seem to be prestige pieces. Mine has some residual gold koftgari work on the blade and seems to be of Burmese manufacture.
Ian
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