Nepalese (unknown) short sword?

rickdeckard · 10th October 2025, 06:13 AM

Hello,

Posting a few pictures of a knife I inherited from my uncle, who passed many years back. I know he travelled to Nepal in the early 1980s and I assume he may have got it from there - but I don’t know.

I was wondering if anyone could identify the likely origin or type of weapon?

The blade has a false edge and quite a thick spine. The handle is dark wood.

Scabbard almost has the pattern of skin, but could be paper based and the throat is wood. Metal (brass) parts on the scabbard are very thin and malleable with some decorative embellishments.

The only marking can be seen in the attached photo - a swirl on the reverse of the scabbard.

Hoping that someone can shine a light on the origin and age of this blade - as nobody in the family can recall its origin.

Thanks in advance.

Ian · 10th October 2025, 07:41 AM

Hello again rickdeckard,

Thanks for posting another example of your inherited weapons. A nice heavy-bladed knife in what appear to be silver fittings. Again, I think you are on the right track with a Himalayan origin, although I think Bhutan or Tibet may be more likely as a place of origin.

Please keep them coming!

Regards,
Ian.

Sajen · 10th October 2025, 05:10 PM

It's a "dughti", a dagger from Nepal or Bhutan. I don't think that the scabbard fittings are from silver, most likely some sort of German silver.

Regards,
Detlef

David R · 10th October 2025, 08:26 PM

I am going to vote Bhutan, because the hilt is plain wood, not that I am an expert! Regarding mounts, ethnic white metal is often melted and recycled coinage, so can be silver or cupro-nickel, and this can be a clue to the date!

10th October 2025, 06:13 AM	#1
rickdeckard Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Location: South Posts: 5	Nepalese (unknown) short sword? Hello, Posting a few pictures of a knife I inherited from my uncle, who passed many years back. I know he travelled to Nepal in the early 1980s and I assume he may have got it from there - but I don’t know. I was wondering if anyone could identify the likely origin or type of weapon? The blade has a false edge and quite a thick spine. The handle is dark wood. Scabbard almost has the pattern of skin, but could be paper based and the throat is wood. Metal (brass) parts on the scabbard are very thin and malleable with some decorative embellishments. The only marking can be seen in the attached photo - a swirl on the reverse of the scabbard. Hoping that someone can shine a light on the origin and age of this blade - as nobody in the family can recall its origin. Thanks in advance. Attached Images

10th October 2025, 07:41 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,501	Hello again rickdeckard, Thanks for posting another example of your inherited weapons. A nice heavy-bladed knife in what appear to be silver fittings. Again, I think you are on the right track with a Himalayan origin, although I think Bhutan or Tibet may be more likely as a place of origin. Please keep them coming! Regards, Ian.

10th October 2025, 05:10 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,394	It's a "dughti", a dagger from Nepal or Bhutan. I don't think that the scabbard fittings are from silver, most likely some sort of German silver. Regards, Detlef

10th October 2025, 08:26 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,133	I am going to vote Bhutan, because the hilt is plain wood, not that I am an expert! Regarding mounts, ethnic white metal is often melted and recycled coinage, so can be silver or cupro-nickel, and this can be a clue to the date!