Dha for comment

[kai]

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19472

[Sajen]

Hi Jeff,

Would agree with Kai, look like you have got a nice Achang HuSa dao!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=husa

Regards,
Detlef

[Ian]

Hi Jeff,

While the maker of this blade is most likely from Yunnan, the customer was probably some distance from the HuSa homeland. There are Achang living in northern Burma/Assam. These long-bladed, straight, square-ended dha/dao are most commonly found in Assam and north-west Yunnan. The most common group in Yunnan to use this type pf sword are the Lisu (who are related ethnically to the Kachin). Scabbards are typically open-faced, and the toe projects well beyond the end of the blade.

You have found a nice example. The hilt looks to be Shan in style, and there is a close relationship between the Shan and Achang in south-western Yunnan.

Ian.

[JeffS]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Jeff,

Would agree with Kai, look like you have got a nice Achang HuSa dao!

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...highlight=husa

Regards,
Detlef

Very cool sword. Do I understand correctly that Robert did the silver restoration work on the scabbard?

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Jeff,

While the maker of this blade is most likely from Yunnan, the customer was probably some distance from the HuSa homeland. There are Achang living in northern Burma/Assam. These long-bladed, straight, square-ended dha/dao are most commonly found in Assam and north-west Yunnan. The most common group in Yunnan to use this type pf sword are the Lisu (who are related ethnically to the Kachin). Scabbards are typically open-faced, and the toe projects well beyond the end of the blade.

You have found a nice example. The hilt looks to be Shan in style, and there is a close relationship between the Shan and Achang in south-western Yunnan.

Ian.

Thanks Ian. Great info.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by JeffS

Very cool sword. Do I understand correctly that Robert did the silver restoration work on the scabbard?

Hi Jeff,

Thank you! Yes, Robert did the restoration of the scabbard and worked the fittings new from brass, they are silver washed.

Regards,
Detlef

[gp]

silly question perhaps but why are these weapons not pointed ?
From an attacking perspective you lose one functionality I would say..
and it would require more force to thrust it into an opponent's body...

[Ian]

Originally Posted by gp

silly question perhaps but why are these weapons not pointed ?
From an attacking perspective you lose one functionality I would say..
and it would require more force to thrust it into an opponent's body...

History and tradition. Many of these weapons were adapted from tools used mainly for chopping. The resulting swords were either a combination tool/weapon or weapons based on tools. Some Mainland SE Asian swords are indeed pointed, such as most Burmese and Shan dha, and Thai/Lao daab. These were used for both slashing and stabbing, although slashing was probably used more commonly against lightly armored opponents.