Tulwar Hilted Kora

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2019, 10:35 PM

Hi Bob
Looks like no takers on this so I'll venture an idea. I don't think this is any sort of a proto-kora as those as a weapon form seem to have evolved quite some time ago in the Indian sword spectrum from the early forms seen in iconography.
I would say this falls into the 'village' type of weapon/implement which was crudely fashioned recalling the kora form, and the 'decoration' follows some sort of folk perspective as far as possible intent.

The scalloped dentation at the tip is curious, almost as if to be used in some sort of scraping. Perhaps this was something used in the manner of kora in sacrificial or butchering situation? With these kinds of items it is pretty much anybodys guess as they are essentially 'one off' and not in a necessary category.

Bob A · 21st March 2019, 12:53 AM

I had taken close-up pictures of the hilt, trying to determine whether the blade had been modified, perhaps from the "boomerang" shape, prior to having a hilt affixed, but I'm unable to decide. The hilted area does seem rather thicker that the blade area, but it seems too speculative to say more.

I note that the hilt is copper, or something covered in sheet copper. The only other piece I have at hand with copper sheathing is a Songye axe. Afric to India is way too distant a jump to hazard any conclusions in that regard. If anyone has data regarding copper-sheathed hilts, I'd be interested in reading about this.

20th March 2019, 10:35 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Hi Bob Looks like no takers on this so I'll venture an idea. I don't think this is any sort of a proto-kora as those as a weapon form seem to have evolved quite some time ago in the Indian sword spectrum from the early forms seen in iconography. I would say this falls into the 'village' type of weapon/implement which was crudely fashioned recalling the kora form, and the 'decoration' follows some sort of folk perspective as far as possible intent. The scalloped dentation at the tip is curious, almost as if to be used in some sort of scraping. Perhaps this was something used in the manner of kora in sacrificial or butchering situation? With these kinds of items it is pretty much anybodys guess as they are essentially 'one off' and not in a necessary category.

21st March 2019, 12:53 AM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	I had taken close-up pictures of the hilt, trying to determine whether the blade had been modified, perhaps from the "boomerang" shape, prior to having a hilt affixed, but I'm unable to decide. The hilted area does seem rather thicker that the blade area, but it seems too speculative to say more. I note that the hilt is copper, or something covered in sheet copper. The only other piece I have at hand with copper sheathing is a Songye axe. Afric to India is way too distant a jump to hazard any conclusions in that regard. If anyone has data regarding copper-sheathed hilts, I'd be interested in reading about this.