On the "lighter side."

Sajen · 31st March 2020, 07:08 PM

Hi Drac2k,
Your swords are not dha's they are Lao daab with samrit alloy hilts and are from Lan chang - lan xang the Laos kingdom dated 18th through to 19thc, they are not made for film props or for temple use/dancing, they are real weapons of the old Kingdom of Lan Chang likely used by the royal elephant troupe. Polished the fittings would appear to be very gold like to go with the uniforms of red and golden yellow, the blades are set with white cement into tubular samrit alloy hilts that are made from flat sheet metal and joined, you often see a seam on them on the underside and the tangs of these blades are long, around 8 inches.
These may well have been elephant foot guards swords for the soldiers of the elephant troupe, they used them in pairs that were large compared to other smaller swords, the hilts often being curved and all having lotus bud pommels, there were 2 or as many as 4 guards who protected the elephants legs and feet and it would have been a great honor and a sign of a very skilled swordsman to be in that place of war elephants foot guard in Laos and Siam.

Regards,
Detlef

drac2k · 31st March 2020, 09:50 PM

WOW Detlef, once again your insight and knowledge prevail! To me, nothing could be cooler than a sword used to guard an elephant!

Sajen · 31st March 2020, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

WOW Detlef, once again your insight and knowledge prevail! To me, nothing could be cooler than a sword used to guard an elephant!

Frankly said it isn't my knowledge, I've gleaned it from a very good friend of mine who shared his great knowledge over the last years with me.
Like said, I would like to see them cleaned up, also a polish of the blades and a light etch I would suggest, I think you will be very surprised.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 1st April 2020, 05:25 AM

Agree 100% with Detlef. Clean them up and you will have a lovely pair of late 18th C daab. Then you should insure them.

drac2k · 1st April 2020, 05:32 AM

They sure were Shirley's; Mrs. Charles A. Black was her married name. Errol Flynn was also another one of my favorites; his personal life was as fascinating as the movies he made!
I'm going to hold off on that etch; I tried it once and the results scared the heck out of me!

Sajen · 1st April 2020, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

I'm going to hold off on that etch; I tried it once and the results scared the heck out of me!

When you polish up the blades it will be ok, they will show by etching a hardened edge, you will recognize it by the sanding!

Don't think that the blades are laminated.

Regards,
Detlef

31st March 2020, 07:08 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,330	Hi Drac2k, Your swords are not dha's they are Lao daab with samrit alloy hilts and are from Lan chang - lan xang the Laos kingdom dated 18th through to 19thc, they are not made for film props or for temple use/dancing, they are real weapons of the old Kingdom of Lan Chang likely used by the royal elephant troupe. Polished the fittings would appear to be very gold like to go with the uniforms of red and golden yellow, the blades are set with white cement into tubular samrit alloy hilts that are made from flat sheet metal and joined, you often see a seam on them on the underside and the tangs of these blades are long, around 8 inches. These may well have been elephant foot guards swords for the soldiers of the elephant troupe, they used them in pairs that were large compared to other smaller swords, the hilts often being curved and all having lotus bud pommels, there were 2 or as many as 4 guards who protected the elephants legs and feet and it would have been a great honor and a sign of a very skilled swordsman to be in that place of war elephants foot guard in Laos and Siam. Regards, Detlef

31st March 2020, 09:50 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,281	WOW Detlef, once again your insight and knowledge prevail! To me, nothing could be cooler than a sword used to guard an elephant!

1st April 2020, 05:25 AM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,470	Agree 100% with Detlef. Clean them up and you will have a lovely pair of late 18th C daab. Then you should insure them.

1st April 2020, 05:32 AM	#5
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,281	They sure were Shirley's; Mrs. Charles A. Black was her married name. Errol Flynn was also another one of my favorites; his personal life was as fascinating as the movies he made! I'm going to hold off on that etch; I tried it once and the results scared the heck out of me!