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18th May 2019, 11:22 PM | #1 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,785
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After some review of old notes and other references, I am inclined this weapon goes more in line with the GUPTI or 'sword stick' of India. These are described in Pant (1880) p.44 (from G.C.Stone, p.270) along with the 'fakir crutch' type weapons.
In Egerton (1880,1896,1968,2002) #640 (attached) one of these 'gupti' is shown and another mentoned, both from Lahore. While the origin of the blade is unclear, its needle like point seems remarkably like those seen on some Tatar sabres known in the Caucusus and environs. The character of the figures and designs inscribed on the blade remind me of 'similarly' styled ones which seem to come up in material culture among the Kalash people of Chitral regions in Pakistan. These people are primarily practicing an animist faith which resembles ancient Hinduism but having numbers of pagan elements. They are closely aligned with the peoples of Nuristan (formerly Kafiristan) which is now Luristan. Though it is hard to directly say these are inscribed designs of these regions, it is tempting to note the similarity and character of them, along with the fact that the 'gupti' was well known in Northwest Indian regions. It would not be unusual for Central Asian blades to be found in these areas, nor to see one repurposed into this sort of weapon. |
23rd May 2019, 12:31 AM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,152
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It Aerrived today. No pitting, some patination, engravings are clear and unworn. date is indeed 1870 very clearly, blade is sharp, feels good in the hand, flexes some, grip is all horn, what looks like a strap over the pommel into the notch is actually carved from the horn. hidden tang, Horn is cracked but tight to the blade. scabbard has steel ends, wood core, leather cover, turkish seam on back. suspension fitting has a fairly large knob with a hole that has a chain loop rather than a ring. tight fit to blade but fairly easy to draw. tip of scabbard is a bit damaged but blade is not protruding. Definitly not a swagger stick or a sword cane. the other cartouche seems to have some lettering that could possibly be in one of the caucasian/georgian character sets. not arabic. All in all, a conundrum. Love it.
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