Strange Persian?

[Emanuel]

Hello, this just ended http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=6594992165&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1 and I'm very curious to know what it is. The bolster and handle type relate it to the khyber/choora/kard family but I've never seen one like it. The sickle form is quite appealing, and it seems well made with delicate work on the tang and bolster. Wouldn't be just a common sickle would it?

Regards,
Manolo

[nechesh]

Well Artzi seems to know what it is since he won the auction. Perhaps he will post his thoughts here. :)
It looks more like an argricultural tool than a weapon to me.

[Rick]

It looks Central Asian ; reminds me somewhat of Bokharan work ; possibly some sort of variation on a Bank (the sickle weapon of India) ?

Nechesh , from the decoration I get the impression that this was made to harvest humans . :eek:

[Oriental-Arms]

We decided to go for it out of curiosity and because we did not know for sure what it is. When we receive it we wil research it and will gladly post here our thoughts .

[Emanuel]

Ah, Oriental-Arms had some similar pieces http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/search.php?q=bank&s.x=0&s.y=0 but varying to some degree.
I find such sickle-shaped weapons fascinating, and I've always wondered about their effectiveness. The ebay examble is less curved and some sort of draw cut or even stabbing seem feasible. The Oriental-Arms examples have extreme curvatures and certainly don't seem to be intended for stabbing, so how were they used? If one just hooks onto an opponent's limb or extremity and pull, does the cut produce sufficient damage?

[not2sharp]

It looks like a corvo. Perhaps a modern custom rendition of the style.

n2s

[RobT]

Hi all,
Given the ferrule's similarity to those found on choora and khyber knives, I would vote for north India/Afghanistan. Stone on pg 93 lists a type of knife called a bank and further references the Wallace Catalogue for other forms of knife with this name . Perhaps this is a bank variant? (I think "bank" means curved.)
Sincerely,
RobT

[Rick]

Hi all,
Given the ferrule's similarity to those found on choora and khyber knives, I would vote for north India/Afghanistan. Stone on pg 93 lists a type of knife called a bank and further references the Wallace Catalogue for other forms of knife with this name . Perhaps this is a bank variant? (I think "bank" means curved.)
Sincerely,
RobT

That makes two votes for a bank variant . ;)
IMO too much Central Asian influence in the design to be a corvo .
Betting it's a wootz blade . :cool:

[Oriental-Arms]

Hi all

This dagger was discussed earlier in this thread. We now received it and we are still not sure of what it is.
It is a fine dagger, with rather heavy blade, well made handle with wood grips, steel bolsters and steel pommel cover:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/extra/36/000236.jpg

After cleaning and etching, the blade shows a very good laminated steel back and harder steel edge:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/extra/37/000237.jpg

And a close ups of the handle:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/extra/38/000238.jpg

http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos/extra/39/000239.jpg

The blade shape reminds the Indian BANK sickle shaped dagger. The steel bolsters and grip strap reminds those of the Khayber sword family, but the steel forging is a mystery. All in all I still think it is of Indian origin. Age?? My intuition says late 19 to early 20 C.

[Battara]

In some ways it reminds me of an Indian bank.

[not2sharp]

Age?? My intuition says late 19 to early 20 C.

Is there any signs of oxidation on the wood? It looks very clean.

[Andrew]

What an interesting and beautiful knife!

The blade lamination came up in a similar fashion to many pattern-welded Indian tulwar blades I have seen, and the decorative motifs also seem Indian to my inexpert eye.

[Emanuel]

Magnificent dagger!
This lamination pattern is quite beautiful, how are the waves or circles achieved in this example?
Would these daggers have had scabbards or were they worn bear?
Beautiful restoration as well, its owner will be very proud of it.