Tulwar Hilted Kora

Norman McCormick · 19th January 2008, 10:21 PM

The scalloped edge still poses a problem although the one in the engraving seems to be the reverse of the scallops on the actual blade so maybe?????
Regards,
Norman.

Bob A · 17th March 2019, 07:48 PM

I found an interesting item at the 2019 MACA show. It seems to be a possible re-purposing of an Indian boomerang, or perhaps just a blade with very similar design. Perhaps it's some sort of proto-Kora? This thread seems like an appropriate place for it.

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.

17th March 2019, 07:48 PM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	I found an interesting item at the 2019 MACA show. It seems to be a possible re-purposing of an Indian boomerang, or perhaps just a blade with very similar design. Perhaps it's some sort of proto-Kora? This thread seems like an appropriate place for it. Attached Images

19th January 2008, 10:21 PM	#1
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	The scalloped edge still poses a problem although the one in the engraving seems to be the reverse of the scallops on the actual blade so maybe????? Regards, Norman.

20th March 2019, 10:35 PM	#3
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	#4
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.