Chimera sword??

Jim McDougall · 20th August 2022, 02:48 AM

In India, during the Raj, at durbars especially those of significant note, there were local armorers and artisans who created all manner of innovative weapons to showcase their skills or simply to offer unusual items. Many of the weapons are of course the traditional forms, but these kinds of items were unusual enough to attract attention.

It is hard to say how old this assembly is, but the use of a horn of the type seen on fakirs weapons, along with a blade which resembles the Indian blades somewhat of 'pattisa' form suggests something from India of course.
The brass guard and scribed quillon terminals adds European element.

Regardless of how modern, this seems an example of the tradition of edged weapon curiosa which prevailed through the Indian Raj in displays of the work of various makers.
Whether it is of that vintage and character is indeed a 'chimera', but intriguing just the same.

Bob A · 20th August 2022, 05:32 PM

The "armorer's sampler" concept as described above by Jim and shayde78 is intriguing, and would explain many of the features seen, though it does seem to be a melange of cross-cultural and cross-continental parts.

I do like the "chimera" label.

Does anyone have examples of this to display?

Jim McDougall · 20th August 2022, 09:21 PM

Armorers examples are well known in Indonesia and Philippines it seems and there are entire displays of miniature weapons that are much sought after by collectors. Even in other cases there are many examples of miniatures of weapons made by producers that were used to promote their work.
While this is not really a miniature, it is of much smaller dimension to the larger 'pattisa' blades. Many of these types of items were made purely as novelties.
I agree, the chimera term is well applied.....in his venerable book on unusual firearms Winant used the term, "Firearms Curiosa", which said it all.

20th August 2022, 02:48 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	In India, during the Raj, at durbars especially those of significant note, there were local armorers and artisans who created all manner of innovative weapons to showcase their skills or simply to offer unusual items. Many of the weapons are of course the traditional forms, but these kinds of items were unusual enough to attract attention. It is hard to say how old this assembly is, but the use of a horn of the type seen on fakirs weapons, along with a blade which resembles the Indian blades somewhat of 'pattisa' form suggests something from India of course. The brass guard and scribed quillon terminals adds European element. Regardless of how modern, this seems an example of the tradition of edged weapon curiosa which prevailed through the Indian Raj in displays of the work of various makers. Whether it is of that vintage and character is indeed a 'chimera', but intriguing just the same.

20th August 2022, 05:32 PM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 446	The "armorer's sampler" concept as described above by Jim and shayde78 is intriguing, and would explain many of the features seen, though it does seem to be a melange of cross-cultural and cross-continental parts. I do like the "chimera" label. Does anyone have examples of this to display?

20th August 2022, 09:21 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Armorers examples are well known in Indonesia and Philippines it seems and there are entire displays of miniature weapons that are much sought after by collectors. Even in other cases there are many examples of miniatures of weapons made by producers that were used to promote their work. While this is not really a miniature, it is of much smaller dimension to the larger 'pattisa' blades. Many of these types of items were made purely as novelties. I agree, the chimera term is well applied.....in his venerable book on unusual firearms Winant used the term, "Firearms Curiosa", which said it all.