No kidding, eh? Impressive collection, Trajan!
It amazes me how varied the expression of form became on the Indian subcontinent... I especially like the large, spiral-flanged example.
It would seem that by concentrating the mass at the striking end, the thin-flanged examples allowed for a chopping/slashing utility comparable to an edged weapon... Whereas a hilt-biased tulwar was unlikely to cut through a kulah khud, a mace with blade-like flanges stood a greater chance at penetrating armor.