strange sword

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Patterson25

Hi Guys,

First thanks for your comments.
More details to help:
The hilt is made of metal, a tube covered by thick black lacquer.
The pommel is made of walrus ivory or mammoth teeth, and on top an old glass bead.
I posted this sword because it is a strange mix...

Patterson25, this is important information that was omitted earlier. If you are looking for an answer for this unusual sword, then it helps to have all the data. Additional information that would be useful is the length of the hilt and blade, and the blade width and thickness at the hilt and tip. Also, does the blade taper in thickness from ricasso to tip.

The presence of a cylindrical metal grip is significant. Is this metal iron (magnetic) or non-ferrous (non-magnetic)? The covering with "lacquer" implies the use of a resin that may have been "tacky" originally and perhaps aided grip oif the hilt. It may also have added some protection of the hilt from wear and tear or other damage. The use of black resin was common in parts of mainland SE Asia, perhaps also to improve the grip or conceal any reflections from the hilt materials. It was widely used on wooden scabbards as well.

I had two Vietnamese swords that were heavily endowed with black resin over the grip, and similar use of resin on some Thai, Lao, and Cambodian swords. All of these examples had an underlying wrap (rattan strips, metal wire, occasionally brass fittings) over a wooden core.

Resin is also seen on the grips of some NW Indian groups, and the Naga are a notable group with resin on the grip of their traditional dao. These grips tend to have a hard, smooth, and often shiny appearance.

As far as the material of the pommel, if this is marine ivory then that might favor an origin close to the coast rather than the landlocked areas of NE India, Bhutan, and Tibet. Sometimes it can be difficult to distinguish between elephant ivory and marine ivory. A fossilized mammoth tooth seems unlikely..