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Old 8th December 2011, 06:07 PM   #9
Jim McDougall
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
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I think a glance into Rawson and Egerton will show this type sword corresponding to iconographic styles and most likely from Deccan to southern India, and these as I had noted seem largely in a 'revival' sense representing the flamboyant forms of historic earlier times.
Naturally, these are for visual effect and undulating or serpentine blades do not offer particularly any notable advantage in actual combative use, but most likely disadvantage in that regard. The idea of weapons for specific purpose such as 'hamstringing' etc.based on blade shapes is of course not in my opinion feasible but sounds interesting.
Weapons intended for ceremonial, processional or rituals (not necessarily sacrificial) are inclined to promote dramatic effect, and references to such weapons being held in front of participating individuals in a bearing type position suggest these kinds of purposeful display.
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