Firangi's Handle

[ariel]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=013&item=230013151861&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

The blade is not very exciting (at least to my taste), but the handle has such lovely proportions... Must have been a beauty in its heyday.

[RSWORD]

I would venture a guess that this blade is most probably Indian made as opposed to being an European import due to the markings in the fullers. I have seen those on a number of Indian blades and they tend to be done in imitation of European markings. With European blades being much appreciated in India I can see where a market for "imitation" blades would be in high demand. It is interesting to see in so many areas of the world the "sub-market" of imitation blades made to give the impression of the original. Look at Kaskara or Takouba blades with the moon marks done to imitate the originals. Look at many blades with fake running wolf marks, fake Ferara marks, etc. Many Caucasian blades were made in imitation of Polish and Hungarian originals. Not really different from our markets of today. An imitation Rolex can probably effectively tell time, look fairly snazzy on your wrist and cost a fraction of the original. But, it ain't a Rolex.

[Rick]

I would venture a guess that this blade is most probably Indian made as opposed to being an European import due to the markings in the fullers. I have seen those on a number of Indian blades and they tend to be done in imitation of European markings. With European blades being much appreciated in India I can see where a market for "imitation" blades would be in high demand. It is interesting to see in so many areas of the world the "sub-market" of imitation blades made to give the impression of the original. Look at Kaskara or Takouba blades with the moon marks done to imitate the originals. Look at many blades with fake running wolf marks, fake Ferara marks, etc. Many Caucasian blades were made in imitation of Polish and Hungarian originals. Not really different from our markets of today. An imitation Rolex can probably effectively tell time, look fairly snazzy on your wrist and cost a fraction of the original. But, it ain't a Rolex.

Agreed on the blade's pedigree ; some of the markings are very similar to those on my pattern welded Kirach .