New Dha For Comment

Andrew · 18th February 2005, 02:31 AM

Lew, that's not likely to be the tang. It's probably a nail used to affix the end-cap/pommel.

Through-tang dha are quite rare in my experience. Mark used an ingeneous test to determine that his Ayutthaya period darb went entirely through the handle to the pommel: string a battery, a lightbulb and a piece of wire to either end of the sword. If the bulb lights up, you've probably got a closed circuit and a full tang (a noteable exception would be seen on swords completely encased in conductive metal).

18th February 2005, 02:31 AM	#11
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Lew, that's not likely to be the tang. It's probably a nail used to affix the end-cap/pommel. Through-tang dha are quite rare in my experience. Mark used an ingeneous test to determine that his Ayutthaya period darb went entirely through the handle to the pommel: string a battery, a lightbulb and a piece of wire to either end of the sword. If the bulb lights up, you've probably got a closed circuit and a full tang (a noteable exception would be seen on swords completely encased in conductive metal).