Whatzit ??

Tim Simmons · 31st January 2006, 06:25 PM

I know it is not good but is it that bad!?? I was watching one of the same form on ebay only a couple of days ago, it made over £125 without a scabbard, admittedly it was pre ww2 for sure. unfortunately I have deleted the listing. Tim

Mark · 31st January 2006, 08:21 PM

The dog ID for the jaw could be right, but I doubt that it is simply a piece of carrion tied to the scabbard for show. As I wrote before, I have a "Naga" dao (really indistinquishable from a Kachin dao, and perhaps more accurately called that) which has a small piece of jaw tied to the scabbard. Mine is no tourist piece, and my strong assumption is that the jaw has a talismanic significance. I'll post pictures once I get home tonight.

I can't immediately remember whether a canine carries talismanic significance to the Kachin (or other hill tribe of Burma), so I'll have to dig a bit in my library. Its presence on my sword tells me that it is not a random thing, though.

On the other hand, I won't go so far as to say the whole sword is "legit" -- it is possible that the maker of this one added the jaw because it was something that is found on Kachin swords. The guard and wooden carving on the handle are not typical, so its probably a composite at best.

Why Kachin/Burmese? The straight, square-tipped blade is typically, almostly uniquely in the area, Kachin/No. Burmese. The open-faced scabbard is also typically (though not uniquely) Kachin. Here are some examples:

It is described as being a Kachin weapon by Egerton, as well, though he calls it a "sword dao." You will also see the resemblance in the handles. The guard and the wooden fret-work are the odd-balls, but otherwise it is a very typical Kachin dha or "sword dao." Is there a similar weapon in Malaysia, by the way?

A couple more examples, but with closed scabbards which I suspect are a Shan (Tai) influence:

Mark · 31st January 2006, 08:47 PM

I found a photo on hand of my "Naga" dao with the jaw bone (its the top sword in the photo). Unfortunately, the jaw is barely visible behind the shoulder strap. The dao out of its scabbard is about 20"/50cm long, and the piece of jaw is about 3"/7cm long, so the jaw proportionally looks to be roughly the same size as that on our subject sword.

I'll post a close-up of the jaw tonight.

Andrew · 31st January 2006, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I know it is not good but is it that bad!??

I don't think so, Tim. I like it.

31st January 2006, 08:21 PM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	The dog ID for the jaw could be right, but I doubt that it is simply a piece of carrion tied to the scabbard for show. As I wrote before, I have a "Naga" dao (really indistinquishable from a Kachin dao, and perhaps more accurately called that) which has a small piece of jaw tied to the scabbard. Mine is no tourist piece, and my strong assumption is that the jaw has a talismanic significance. I'll post pictures once I get home tonight. I can't immediately remember whether a canine carries talismanic significance to the Kachin (or other hill tribe of Burma), so I'll have to dig a bit in my library. Its presence on my sword tells me that it is not a random thing, though. On the other hand, I won't go so far as to say the whole sword is "legit" -- it is possible that the maker of this one added the jaw because it was something that is found on Kachin swords. The guard and wooden carving on the handle are not typical, so its probably a composite at best. Why Kachin/Burmese? The straight, square-tipped blade is typically, almostly uniquely in the area, Kachin/No. Burmese. The open-faced scabbard is also typically (though not uniquely) Kachin. Here are some examples: It is described as being a Kachin weapon by Egerton, as well, though he calls it a "sword dao." You will also see the resemblance in the handles. The guard and the wooden fret-work are the odd-balls, but otherwise it is a very typical Kachin dha or "sword dao." Is there a similar weapon in Malaysia, by the way? A couple more examples, but with closed scabbards which I suspect are a Shan (Tai) influence: Attached Images

31st January 2006, 08:47 PM	#3
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	PS .... I found a photo on hand of my "Naga" dao with the jaw bone (its the top sword in the photo). Unfortunately, the jaw is barely visible behind the shoulder strap. The dao out of its scabbard is about 20"/50cm long, and the piece of jaw is about 3"/7cm long, so the jaw proportionally looks to be roughly the same size as that on our subject sword. I'll post a close-up of the jaw tonight. Attached Images

31st January 2006, 06:25 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	I know it is not good but is it that bad!?? I was watching one of the same form on ebay only a couple of days ago, it made over £125 without a scabbard, admittedly it was pre ww2 for sure. unfortunately I have deleted the listing. Tim