South Indian Sword
 

Looks nice.
Is it fully original or "restored" using new parts?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWA:IT&ih=018

Interesting sword and quite similar to 8.14 on p. 83 in Elgoods "Hindu Arms and Ritual". That is dated in the authors opinion to 14th or 15th century. The hilt componenets of that sword are bronze. The eBay description states brass/bronze as to the hilt elements. The largest disk appears bronze while everything else is brass. Certainly the blade reinforcement appears more recent but how recent who knows. I think the blade on this one has the potential to be respectively old.

Looks something like the one I have. Was in Tirri's book as 17th century.

I followed this one too, very nice....not so certain that the 're-inforcing plates are that 'new' ..possibly 'over cleaned'...there seems to be scratches consistant with a 'clean' with coarse-ish grit paper. :shrug:

The discs are described as 'bells' which contain steel balls ....anyone know the reason. My Khanda has several steel balls contained within the hilt which 'rattle' ....but I would not describe them as 'musical'.

Has anyone any idea about the design of the scabbard ?

Nice sword Bill :cool:

Regards David