Whatzit ??

ariel · 29th January 2006, 11:39 PM

The blade looks very new, with no nicks, exceedingly well-defined fuller, sharply incised decorations and it looks like being mechanically polished.
The woodwork looks fantastic, but inconceivably intact with nary a chip! And the color is very fresh as if it never been exposed to the elements. I look at the rattan bindings and the wooden borders of the scabbard and cannot imagine that this blade was inserted and drawn more than twice in it's lifetime.
The only evidence of this sword being real is the bump on the handle.
Otherwise, I would define it as a very, very new production.
And, BTW, this ain't no tiger! Dog more likely and not very big, cockapoo size or thereabouts.

Andrew · 30th January 2006, 03:41 AM

I just took another, longer look at the auction photos. I agree Ariel: this doesn't look very old at all, particularly the scabbard. The section of jaw is tiny, too.

I'd still have paid that price for it, though. This may be new, but it's interesting to me.

Rick · 30th January 2006, 03:46 AM

I have a feeling from looking at the bid history that the high bidder really wanted it badly and was willing to pay quite a bit more .

Ian · 30th January 2006, 05:06 AM

The combination of elements suggests a Kachin origin but from outside the normal "homeland" area in NW Burma. The open-faced scabbard suggests Assam. The unusual guard suggests a Chinese influence, perhaps Yunnan. Kachin are found in both of these areas.

Ian.

Mark · 30th January 2006, 03:28 PM

There was another sword discussed a while ago that had almost identical decoration on the scabbard. I can't remember anything more about it, except that I had posted how unusual the wood carving was on the scabbard (which makes me think that someone thought it might be a dha or dha-like weapon). I am sure it was not this sword, as overall it does not look familiar. I don't have time to search the archives, but maybe someone else can look through my posts, or dha posts or something.

I have an Assam/Naga/Kachin dao that has an animal jaw like this one. I know too little about vertibate anatomy to say what is is. The canine is sort of flattened and has a slight ridge along the back side. I was thinking small cat or monkey, but that is just a guess.

Tim Simmons · 30th January 2006, 04:55 PM

I am sure it is not Tiger or Leopard, I have looked into this before. I would also agree that this example is not "old" but I to have seen this form in the past, some definitely pre ww2. One day I hope to snap one up. Tim

Battara · 30th January 2006, 07:45 PM

Ok...so....how old do you think it is?

29th January 2006, 11:39 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The blade looks very new, with no nicks, exceedingly well-defined fuller, sharply incised decorations and it looks like being mechanically polished. The woodwork looks fantastic, but inconceivably intact with nary a chip! And the color is very fresh as if it never been exposed to the elements. I look at the rattan bindings and the wooden borders of the scabbard and cannot imagine that this blade was inserted and drawn more than twice in it's lifetime. The only evidence of this sword being real is the bump on the handle. Otherwise, I would define it as a very, very new production. And, BTW, this ain't no tiger! Dog more likely and not very big, cockapoo size or thereabouts.

30th January 2006, 03:41 AM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	I just took another, longer look at the auction photos. I agree Ariel: this doesn't look very old at all, particularly the scabbard. The section of jaw is tiny, too. I'd still have paid that price for it, though. This may be new, but it's interesting to me.

30th January 2006, 03:46 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I have a feeling from looking at the bid history that the high bidder really wanted it badly and was willing to pay quite a bit more .

30th January 2006, 05:06 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	The combination of elements suggests a Kachin origin but from outside the normal "homeland" area in NW Burma. The open-faced scabbard suggests Assam. The unusual guard suggests a Chinese influence, perhaps Yunnan. Kachin are found in both of these areas. Ian.

30th January 2006, 03:28 PM	#5
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	There was another sword discussed a while ago that had almost identical decoration on the scabbard. I can't remember anything more about it, except that I had posted how unusual the wood carving was on the scabbard (which makes me think that someone thought it might be a dha or dha-like weapon). I am sure it was not this sword, as overall it does not look familiar. I don't have time to search the archives, but maybe someone else can look through my posts, or dha posts or something. I have an Assam/Naga/Kachin dao that has an animal jaw like this one. I know too little about vertibate anatomy to say what is is. The canine is sort of flattened and has a slight ridge along the back side. I was thinking small cat or monkey, but that is just a guess.

30th January 2006, 04:55 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,856	I am sure it is not Tiger or Leopard, I have looked into this before. I would also agree that this example is not "old" but I to have seen this form in the past, some definitely pre ww2. One day I hope to snap one up. Tim

30th January 2006, 07:45 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,282	Ok...so....how old do you think it is?