Another interesting dha

[Nathaniel]

Originally Posted by Ian

Nathaniel, you are being too modest!

A few months back Nathaniel wrote to me about the "running tiger" mark that can be seen at forte on the D-guard dha I have posted here. Based on another sword that I had posted about 10 years ago, which had the same mark and a Chinese inscription, Nathaniel and a friend tracked down the origin of that sword and the "running tiger" mark. They came from a Shan area in southern Yunan and the sword there is called a "Husa dha."

Here is the earlier discussion: http://www.vikingsword.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/001243.html

The two examples in this post would seem to come from the same area. The D-guard sword has a full tang hilt with horn scales that are attached with three pins. This sword has the "running tiger" mark, indicating its origin in the Shan area of southern Yunnan. The other sword has an identical handle and is presumably from the same area. Both could reasonably be considered Husa dha.

Props to Nathaniel for sleuthing this out.

Thank you Ian for the kinds words. Yes, Andrew, Ian's sword is key because the inscription identifies the location of the village were it was made Running Tiger mystery solved

HuSa is the name of the area. Achang is the minority that lives there. In China these are known as HuSa Dao (Dao meaning knife/ single edge blade...so in English HuSa Knife).

http://reading.soundseechina.com/en/...stom_544.shtml

http://defence.pk/threads/pictures-o...225727/page-30

[spiral]

I see Artzi has just flogged a similar blade with tiger mark & I would guess replacement hilt?

Spiral

[Ian]

Spiral, that one is too weird.

[Nathaniel]

Wow, Spiral, that is interesting.....the circles do remind me of some African designs...I cannot remember if I have seen this in a Yunnan sword handle with the horn scales...I think I may have...I have to look...but more usually I think of the circles with the Bo'an knife handles though...I've never seen one though in an antler shape. I agree with Ian...odd looking...ceremonial piece????

Bo'an knife

http://reading.soundseechina.com/en/...stom_543.shtml

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6194

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Ian

Spiral, that one is too weird.

Originally Posted by Nathaniel

Wow, Spiral, that is interesting.....the circles do remind me of some African designs...I cannot remember if I have seen this in a Yunnan sword handle with the horn scales...I think I may have...I have to look...but more usually I think of the circles with the Bo'an knife handles though...I've never seen one though in an antler shape. I agree with Ian...odd looking...ceremonial piece????
]

Indeed Chaps, & Well not my field but looks a replacement hilt to me...

Ive seen the dot & concentric circle on some Afghan or Afghan border pieces as well I seem to recall.

Spiral