You dont see these!!!! A flamboyant

[Andy Davis]

And last but not least from todays auction, a South Indian Flambyant sword. I will be happy to be corrected but will let the photos tell it all. This I think is my new love and surprisingly light.
Any idea on age 17thC seems a possability? And whats the lump for on the back of the blade?
Cheers
Andy

[Bill M]

Hey Andy! Take a look here. Look familiar?

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3165

Mine is one of my loves also.

[Andy Davis]

Hi Bill
I see what you mean, very nice and very similar in style but detail is certainly different. I would guess the handle on mine is a Victorian replacement and would have been closer to yours.
I only get the name from Rawsons reference and the other writers that copy his deffinitions. In "The Indian Sword" there are photos of two similar, one with this odd stud on the back of the blade but still no reference as to why?
Cheers
Andy

[Ian]

Thanks Andy.

We don't see these very often and this blade certainly appears to have some age. Too bad the original handle is long gone, but a beautiful example of a Nair sword nonetheless.

Congratulations on finding this old gem.

Ian.

[Bill M]

Neat! Andy. Congrats on an interesting sword.

[ariel]

Andy,
Very, very nice and very, very interesting sword. Terrific addition to any collection.
Congratulations!

[Andy Davis]

Do we know if these were actually fighting weapons or ceremonial? Balance is great and weight surprisingly light but very robust, so I would go for the fighting option. I had an idea on the stud on the back of the blade, in that if you were using it for sacrifise, it would be the perfect possition to strike the victim from; judged from a downward swing from above. Is it therefore a form of sight for a sword!!
I'm currently deciding how to totally re-gig the collection to give this pride of place.

[Battara]

I would agree that this is a fighting piece. This is supported in Elgood's book.

[Andy Davis]

Just had a strike of insight on the stud which nobody wants to pass opinion on (Not even Rawson, who does mention it).
It might be there just to let the sword stand upright on the back of its blade.
The photo seems to give it the right appearance/angle for that use.
Cheers
Andy

[Ian]

Andy:

That makes a lot of sense.

BTW, has anyone ever seen a scabbard for one of these swords? I have not. Maybe they usually sat out on a table or altar, and lying on the spine was there natural storage posture.

Ian.

[Bill M]

Andy:

That makes a lot of sense.

BTW, has anyone ever seen a scabbard for one of these swords? I have not. Maybe they usually sat out on a table or altar, and lying on the spine was there natural storage posture.

Ian.

Ian and Andy.

This is news, good news, to me also. I don't have the stud :o on the back of mine, but they sure look right standing on their spines.

BTW great picture Andy!

Bill