Burmese Dha

Unclebob · 16th April 2018, 12:27 PM

I've added another Burmese Dha to my collection. This one has a very nicely profiled blade, with a deep belly. Appears to have a Rayskin grip, with copper/bronze ends.
It is 28" overall, with a 21" blade and weighs in at 18oz.

Sajen · 17th April 2018, 11:27 PM

Hello UB,

yes a typical Burmese dha, end 19th/first quarter 20th century. Handle cover is indeed from ray skin. I have a very similar example in my collection, also with missing scabbard. When I find the time I will take some pictures and will post them for comparison.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 18th April 2018, 07:36 PM

Hi Bob:

Yes, a Burmese dha probably from the late 19th C. The two plain, metal ferrules flanking a rayskin grip are typical mountings on many Burmese swords of the late 19th–early 20th C. The blade has a nice shape with a prominent, tapered point. Given the wide fuller on the blade, this is most likely of Bama manufacture (rather than Shan, etc.).

Nice example.

Ian.

Unclebob · 18th April 2018, 09:35 PM

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

Ian · 19th April 2018, 03:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Unclebob

Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

The Bama and Shan are two major ethnic groups in Burma. The Bama or Burman give their name to the former country of Burma (now Myanmar) and are the largest ethnic group in Burma. They are found mostly in the central and southern areas of the country. The Shan mostly occupy the Shan States in eastern and southern Burma (Myanmar). The Bama are ethnically Tibeto-Burman while the Shan are originally from northern areas in China and were driven south in the 13th C. The Shan are also found in northern Thailand, southern Yunnan and northern Laos.

The Bama and Shan were the main sword manufacturers in Burma.

Ian

Ian · 19th April 2018, 03:21 PM

Hi dave:

Nice example that you show. Similar features and time period as Bob's dha.

Ian.

Nathaniel · 19th April 2018, 05:40 AM

Lovely dha shay bama. Always interesting how you see fullers more with Burmese vs neighboring. Also the sting ray grip seems exclusive to Burmese swords.

DaveA · 19th April 2018, 07:23 AM

My Burmese dha for comparison

16th April 2018, 12:27 PM	#1
Unclebob Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 21	Burmese Dha I've added another Burmese Dha to my collection. This one has a very nicely profiled blade, with a deep belly. Appears to have a Rayskin grip, with copper/bronze ends. It is 28" overall, with a 21" blade and weighs in at 18oz. Attached Images

18th April 2018, 07:36 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Hi Bob: Yes, a Burmese dha probably from the late 19th C. The two plain, metal ferrules flanking a rayskin grip are typical mountings on many Burmese swords of the late 19th–early 20th C. The blade has a nice shape with a prominent, tapered point. Given the wide fuller on the blade, this is most likely of Bama manufacture (rather than Shan, etc.). Nice example. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 18th April 2018 at 07:54 PM.

19th April 2018, 07:23 AM	#8
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	My Burmese dha for comparison Attached Images

17th April 2018, 11:27 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Hello UB, yes a typical Burmese dha, end 19th/first quarter 20th century. Handle cover is indeed from ray skin. I have a very similar example in my collection, also with missing scabbard. When I find the time I will take some pictures and will post them for comparison. Regards, Detlef

18th April 2018, 09:35 PM	#4
Unclebob Member Join Date: Dec 2017 Posts: 21	Thanks for the replies, chaps. Please excuse my ignorance, but what are Bama, Shan?

19th April 2018, 03:21 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,362	Hi dave: Nice example that you show. Similar features and time period as Bob's dha. Ian.

19th April 2018, 05:40 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Lovely dha shay bama. Always interesting how you see fullers more with Burmese vs neighboring. Also the sting ray grip seems exclusive to Burmese swords.