Indian short sabers

Jens Nordlunde · 28th December 2015, 09:46 PM

Hi Ariel,

You write about three swords, but you show four - please explain!

The hilt shown in post two looks a lot like the hilts shown in the thread started by Emanuel - is it quite the same decoration?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11025

Jens

Iain · 29th December 2015, 12:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Hi Ariel,

You write about three swords, but you show four - please explain!

The hilt shown in post two looks a lot like the hilts shown in the thread started by Emanuel - is it quite the same decoration?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11025

Jens

Hi Jens, as I understand Ariel's post the top sword in his initial image is a standard sized tulwar intended to give scale to the next three.

The questions Ariel poses are regarding the next three swords (2-4 in his image).

ariel · 29th December 2015, 12:58 AM

Iain,
Thanks for the explanation.

Yes, the uppermost sword is just an example of a standard tulwar, just to give an idea what do I mean talking about "short" sabers ( ##2-4)
My "bad" :-((

Iain · 29th December 2015, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Iain,
Thanks for the explanation.

Yes, the uppermost sword is just an example of a standard tulwar, just to give an idea what do I mean talking about "short" sabers ( ##2-4)
My "bad" :-((

I know the formatting of how the forum displays images can be tricky, but the image of the script on one blade corresponds to sword #2 with the pulwar hilt? Looks like a stamp hiding near the pulwar hilt as well? Or have you IDed that stamp already?

ariel · 29th December 2015, 02:19 AM

Yes, the inscription belongs to the pulwar. And yes, there is a very small fragment of the stamp, literally a sliver of an arcSplinter of a letter, nothing else.

ariel · 29th December 2015, 12:27 PM

Re. similarity between the example by Emanuel and mine ( #4, or the lowermost).
There was a suggestion, that the Emanuel's was decorated with Bidri. Don't know about his, but have doubts re. mine.

AFAIK, the objects to be decorated by Bidri are made of copper-zink alloy, then inlayed with silver and then their copper-zink background is blackened by a secret recipe. Thus, they are non-magnetic. I tested mine: strongly magnetic, i.e. iron , NOT copper-zink.

Jens Nordlunde · 29th December 2015, 04:22 PM

Ariel and Iain,
I should have read the text instead of asking a silly question - sorry.

Ariel, I dont think the first sword you show being about 73.75 cm all in all is 'standard' length. If I remember correctly the 'recommended' length is closer to 90 cm, so the other swords really are quite a bit shorter.
Youi are right that there must be a reason for this, and I dont think the reason is - 'we ran out of iron/steel'.
One possibility could be that they were made for young men, but there are other possibilities. When a certain length of a sword could mean life and death to the user, there must be a specific reason why your are shorter.
I will not start guessing at the moment, but only say that your quess on the Deccani one may be wrong.
Jens

29th December 2015, 02:19 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, the inscription belongs to the pulwar. And yes, there is a very small fragment of the stamp, literally a sliver of an arcSplinter of a letter, nothing else. Attached Images

28th December 2015, 09:46 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Ariel, You write about three swords, but you show four - please explain! The hilt shown in post two looks a lot like the hilts shown in the thread started by Emanuel - is it quite the same decoration? http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=11025 Jens

29th December 2015, 12:58 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Iain, Thanks for the explanation. Yes, the uppermost sword is just an example of a standard tulwar, just to give an idea what do I mean talking about "short" sabers ( ##2-4) My "bad" :-((

29th December 2015, 12:27 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Re. similarity between the example by Emanuel and mine ( #4, or the lowermost). There was a suggestion, that the Emanuel's was decorated with Bidri. Don't know about his, but have doubts re. mine. AFAIK, the objects to be decorated by Bidri are made of copper-zink alloy, then inlayed with silver and then their copper-zink background is blackened by a secret recipe. Thus, they are non-magnetic. I tested mine: strongly magnetic, i.e. iron , NOT copper-zink.

29th December 2015, 04:22 PM	#7
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ariel and Iain, I should have read the text instead of asking a silly question - sorry. Ariel, I dont think the first sword you show being about 73.75 cm all in all is 'standard' length. If I remember correctly the 'recommended' length is closer to 90 cm, so the other swords really are quite a bit shorter. Youi are right that there must be a reason for this, and I dont think the reason is - 'we ran out of iron/steel'. One possibility could be that they were made for young men, but there are other possibilities. When a certain length of a sword could mean life and death to the user, there must be a specific reason why your are shorter. I will not start guessing at the moment, but only say that your quess on the Deccani one may be wrong. Jens