Hunting Tulwar (Tulwar Shikargah)

Cathey · 26th February 2022, 12:38 AM

Hi Norman

Thankyou for raising the issue of European Hunting swords of which I have a growing collection. I think the point you raise is more than valid and one I will pursue in my research. If wealthy or highly ranked individuals owned and used very elaborate hunting swords in Europe, I am not sure we can preclude the same practice in the east out of hand.

Even tourist pieces are usually not created in a vacuum, they are based on something that originally had a purpose. I have also previously discarded these heavily engraved swords as mere tourist pieces until I found that they are not as prolific as you would expect and the high-quality examples in watered steel held in important collections has also caused me to rethink my position.

With regard to the sword I own, I have the advantage of being able to compare it to other high quality Tulwars in my collection and also high quality early European swords. Apart from having a serviceable edge this sword is well balanced in the hand and appears to be as functional as my other horseman’s swords. Was it used as a hunting sword or just a ceremonial piece, I have no definitive proof at this stage, and perhaps never will, however I also have no evidence to the contrary? I think the next avenue to explore will be the history of hunting in the East rather than simply relying on available arms and armour related texts.

This will certainly be an interesting area to dedicate some research to and I have been told by a far more experienced collector in this field that this has not been attempted in any detail previously and his view is that it is a gap that should be addressed.

Norman would you be so kind as to send me some high-resolution pictures of your shield, preferably on a white background. You can send these me via the Heritage Arms Society email: heritage.arms.society@gmail.com.

Jim has kindly offered to assist me with this project and I am sure his attention to detail and due diligence will keep me from going to far off track.

Cheers Cathey

26th February 2022, 12:38 AM	#20
Cathey Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: adelaide south australia Posts: 284	Shikargah Hi Norman Thankyou for raising the issue of European Hunting swords of which I have a growing collection. I think the point you raise is more than valid and one I will pursue in my research. If wealthy or highly ranked individuals owned and used very elaborate hunting swords in Europe, I am not sure we can preclude the same practice in the east out of hand. Even tourist pieces are usually not created in a vacuum, they are based on something that originally had a purpose. I have also previously discarded these heavily engraved swords as mere tourist pieces until I found that they are not as prolific as you would expect and the high-quality examples in watered steel held in important collections has also caused me to rethink my position. With regard to the sword I own, I have the advantage of being able to compare it to other high quality Tulwars in my collection and also high quality early European swords. Apart from having a serviceable edge this sword is well balanced in the hand and appears to be as functional as my other horseman’s swords. Was it used as a hunting sword or just a ceremonial piece, I have no definitive proof at this stage, and perhaps never will, however I also have no evidence to the contrary? I think the next avenue to explore will be the history of hunting in the East rather than simply relying on available arms and armour related texts. This will certainly be an interesting area to dedicate some research to and I have been told by a far more experienced collector in this field that this has not been attempted in any detail previously and his view is that it is a gap that should be addressed. Norman would you be so kind as to send me some high-resolution pictures of your shield, preferably on a white background. You can send these me via the Heritage Arms Society email: heritage.arms.society@gmail.com. Jim has kindly offered to assist me with this project and I am sure his attention to detail and due diligence will keep me from going to far off track. Cheers Cathey