Unusual dha-like sword

Ian · 2nd January 2015, 12:50 AM

This one sold today on our favorite online auction site. Someone obviously thought they knew what it was judging from the price paid. I have my own ideas but will hold back on commenting until others have had a chance to express their opinions. Who made it and where is it from?

Overall length 30"
Blade length 23"

These are some of the seller's pictures.

Sajen · 3rd January 2015, 12:34 AM

Hi Ian,

haven't seen the auction, as what it was described? Could be from Yunnan, Husa people. The skulls look strange.

Added for selling purpose?

Regards,
Detlef

Nathaniel · 3rd January 2015, 03:59 AM

Yes I agree. The work in particular the handle style is similar to those I have seen made by the Achang, HuSa

russel · 3rd January 2015, 08:31 AM

It was described as from Burma. Here is the listing:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...763750&alt=web

Sajen · 3rd January 2015, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by russel

It was described as from Burma. Here is the listing:

http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...763750&alt=web

Thank you for the link Russel!

Ian · 3rd January 2015, 06:53 PM

Thanks guys. Yes, I would agree it is a HuSa dao. Hard to tell how old it is and whether the scabbard is original. The small bone (?) skulls seem like an after thought.

The partial tang has been pinned with what appear to be wooden dowels--an unusual construction on these swords as the examples I have seen previously had metal pins. The checkered horn hilt is also unusual. The decoration on the spine is consistent with other HuSa examples.

As far as age, I was thinking the first half of 20th C, but it's hard to say. If the scabbard is original, it appears to have some age.

Ian

Attached is a web photo of Husa dao taken in Dehong.

2nd January 2015, 12:50 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Unusual dha-like sword This one sold today on our favorite online auction site. Someone obviously thought they knew what it was judging from the price paid. I have my own ideas but will hold back on commenting until others have had a chance to express their opinions. Who made it and where is it from? Overall length 30" Blade length 23" These are some of the seller's pictures. Attached Images

3rd January 2015, 06:53 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Thanks guys. Yes, I would agree it is a HuSa dao. Hard to tell how old it is and whether the scabbard is original. The small bone (?) skulls seem like an after thought. The partial tang has been pinned with what appear to be wooden dowels--an unusual construction on these swords as the examples I have seen previously had metal pins. The checkered horn hilt is also unusual. The decoration on the spine is consistent with other HuSa examples. As far as age, I was thinking the first half of 20th C, but it's hard to say. If the scabbard is original, it appears to have some age. Ian Attached is a web photo of Husa dao taken in Dehong. Attached Images

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3rd January 2015, 12:34 AM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Hi Ian, haven't seen the auction, as what it was described? Could be from Yunnan, Husa people. The skulls look strange. Added for selling purpose? Regards, Detlef

3rd January 2015, 03:59 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Yes I agree. The work in particular the handle style is similar to those I have seen made by the Achang, HuSa

3rd January 2015, 08:31 AM	#4
russel Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Tasmania, Australia Posts: 236	It was described as from Burma. Here is the listing: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item...763750&alt=web