Indo-persian sword and spearhead

Anton1 · 26th February 2019, 08:17 PM

I have some antique weapons that i would like to know more about. I know that the sword is a talwar sword from India but i have no idea how old it might be.
I dont know if the spearhead and the strange looking sword(?) is also from India.

I would appreciate if anyone have more information.

Lee · 27th February 2019, 03:24 PM

The straight, double-edged sword is a Masai seme from east Africa and the spearhead is likely also African, though not typically Masai.

Here is one of three in Lew's collection for comparison.

The curved sword is, indeed an Indian tulwar of 'munitions' grade, here is another.

Jens Nordlunde · 27th February 2019, 05:38 PM

The blade of your tulwar could have been an European blade, but due to the ricasso it seems to be an Indian blade - likely a copy of an European blade.
It is interesting that the blade on the African sword almost have the same form as seen on early Indian swords.

DaveF · 28th February 2019, 06:52 PM

The spearhead being a tang construction rather than a socket narrows the field somewhat, as most African spears were socket rather than tang constructions, the latter certainly being used on Zulu, Ngoni and Shona spears. I'm certainly no expert (I'm just repeating what I think I've read), but I believe that the way the shaft of the head "pinches" when it meets the blade is indicative of Zulu spears.

26th February 2019, 08:17 PM	#1
Anton1 Member Join Date: Feb 2019 Location: Sweden Posts: 4	Indo-persian sword and spearhead I have some antique weapons that i would like to know more about. I know that the sword is a talwar sword from India but i have no idea how old it might be. I dont know if the spearhead and the strange looking sword(?) is also from India. I would appreciate if anyone have more information. Attached Images

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27th February 2019, 03:24 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 970	The straight, double-edged sword is a Masai seme from east Africa and the spearhead is likely also African, though not typically Masai. Here is one of three in Lew's collection for comparison. The curved sword is, indeed an Indian tulwar of 'munitions' grade, here is another.

27th February 2019, 05:38 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	The blade of your tulwar could have been an European blade, but due to the ricasso it seems to be an Indian blade - likely a copy of an European blade. It is interesting that the blade on the African sword almost have the same form as seen on early Indian swords.

28th February 2019, 06:52 PM	#4
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 52	The spearhead being a tang construction rather than a socket narrows the field somewhat, as most African spears were socket rather than tang constructions, the latter certainly being used on Zulu, Ngoni and Shona spears. I'm certainly no expert (I'm just repeating what I think I've read), but I believe that the way the shaft of the head "pinches" when it meets the blade is indicative of Zulu spears.