Interesting Indian Dagger For Comment
 

Just finished on ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ANTIQUE-INDIAN-M...QQcmdZViewItem

It seems to be a rare form of dagger but I am not sure what to call it? I also thought it was going to be a sleeper. :( Is it possible that this is a Tipu style dagger?

Lew

Me too, (I thought this a Zzzzzzz), bidding went much higher than I had hoped. The knucklebow reminds me of some of the 'trench' knives of WW1/2, with their 'knuckle duster' multi-functional design.

I think its a good knife, congrats Lew :)

Regards David

Looks like a nice south Indian take on a jambiya....as they say in Australia...noice, very noice!!

I love it!

Looks like it may have a small handle.

12 inches overall 7 inch blade leaves 5 inches for the hilt. It just struck a chord in my head and I thought it would make a nice exotic addition to my collection.


Lew

Its south Indian.

As Jens suggested, it is definitely South Indian and most probably from Mysore, looking at the brass hilt and 'Makara' heads on the pommel, the quillons and the knuckle guard.

Notwithstanding the fact that such weapons whose iconography was Hindu in origin would definitely have found a place in Tipu Sultan's armoury as he had only inherited the earlier Mysore and parts of the even earlier Vijaynagar armouries, I do not think that this weapon would have been commisioned by or for Tipu as I see no characteristic Tipuesque symbols on them namely Tiger heads, Bubris stripes nor any other inscription on it like the Asadollah 'Tiger Head' cartouche or the 'He' mark.

But yes, this is very good find and rare weapon. Congratulations, Lew.

Here is a pic from Mysore. Similar dagger? ;)


Lew

The dagger arrived the other day and it's a gem. The blade seems to be regular steel the hilt is small can only fit three of my fingers in it. Here are a few clearer pics.

Lew

Yes, a gem ... a precious one :)
Fernando

Etched Zirah Bonk
 

Hi Lew, This Came into my collection at the same time yours did. the blade was overly polished, but I liked the bonk chain piercing tip. When it arrived i decided to give an etch to darken the blade. The results show a laminated very unusual blade makeup to say the least. You might want to take a peek, Steve

IMHO I don't think this blade was ever produced with the intention of it being etched(to/by the original owner), but remaining polished as found.

agree
 

Charles you're right but, I like the effect to study construction. Steve