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Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde
Its south Indian.
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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.