Indian Khanda hilt serpentine 'saw edged' blade

katana · 14th May 2007, 06:09 PM

Hi Jim, Jens and CourseEight,
when researching this type of sword I found a reference to several 'unusual' serrated bladed swords being used in battle end of 17c early 18th. The prime function of these 'prototype (?)' swords was to cut armour....however, the soldiers did not like them and they were soon made redundant and discarded.
The reference was via a Google search and I have lost the link

I will try and re-discover it.

However, the hilt does look possible for late 17c/early 18c ....could be one of those 'discarded'.........

Probably wishful thinking on my part

Jens with the long spike pommel this sword may not have been too badly balanced .....if used two handed. It almost seems to be a cross between a sword and a 'hilted' mace.

Regards David

Jim McDougall · 14th May 2007, 10:50 PM

Hi David,
Thank you for that reference which it seems I have seen as well ( I think it may be in Pant.....Jens? help

I think the biggest problem with the blade on this is not as much the serration as the extremely counterproductive curvature of the blade.
Also, it seems unclear on the semantics of 'armour', which if mail or steel would be ridiculous to expect being cut by a blade. If the 'armour' was of the heavy textile type, more plausible maybe.

All the best,
Jim

spiral · 14th May 2007, 11:24 PM

Just going on its visual appearence but it looks impractical & poorly balanced to me.

Spiral

14th May 2007, 06:09 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, Jens and CourseEight, when researching this type of sword I found a reference to several 'unusual' serrated bladed swords being used in battle end of 17c early 18th. The prime function of these 'prototype (?)' swords was to cut armour....however, the soldiers did not like them and they were soon made redundant and discarded. The reference was via a Google search and I have lost the link I will try and re-discover it. However, the hilt does look possible for late 17c/early 18c ....could be one of those 'discarded'......... Probably wishful thinking on my part Jens with the long spike pommel this sword may not have been too badly balanced .....if used two handed. It almost seems to be a cross between a sword and a 'hilted' mace. Regards David

14th May 2007, 10:50 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Hi David, Thank you for that reference which it seems I have seen as well ( I think it may be in Pant.....Jens? help I think the biggest problem with the blade on this is not as much the serration as the extremely counterproductive curvature of the blade. Also, it seems unclear on the semantics of 'armour', which if mail or steel would be ridiculous to expect being cut by a blade. If the 'armour' was of the heavy textile type, more plausible maybe. All the best, Jim

14th May 2007, 11:24 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Just going on its visual appearence but it looks impractical & poorly balanced to me. Spiral