Firangi ? recently sold on eBay....with holes drilled into blade!!!

katana · 26th April 2007, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manolo

Hello David,

This looks like a nice firangi. Perhaps the holes were once filled with gold buttons, an indication of high quality? I recall some swords had such treatment, usually one insert close to the langet.

Emanuel

Hi Emanuel,
I did consider this possibility...but thought the position/spacing of the holes doesn't look right.....perhaps Jens could help

Regards David

Emanuel · 27th April 2007, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

I did consider this possibility...

Hi David,

It would be very sad then if the holes had been drilled for something as banal as hanging...foolish people.

I'm getting seriously attracted to Indian arms. I have two tulwars now and want MORE

I actually found that prices have been a bit low recently. A perfectly good pulwar just went yesterday for 100USD, then there are some in poor conditions like this khanda, or some cheap new Indian pieces going for heavy cash! It's maddening!
Maybe these khanda types are being snatched up for their possible Sikh connection?
Looking forward to what Jens, BI and Jim have to say about this one.

All the best,
Emanuel

Jens Nordlunde · 27th April 2007, 10:51 PM

Thank you for your confidence, but knowing that BI and Jim are very occupied, I will try to answer.

It is true that weapons connected to the Sikh’s usually goes rather high on auctions, and if they are decorated with gold – even higher. This can, however, not be a surprise. First it looks nice, and secondly the gold represents a value, but back to the weapon in question. The holes do not represent a certain number of hanged men. If they represent anything, it is one hundred men killed, with the sword, for each hole – not hanged, but so far I believe it to be a rumor. So I do seriously doubt that this is the case with this sword. The holes in question are, as far as I have seen them, made in a need row along the spine of the blade, if the is more than one – and not scattered over the blade.

katana · 28th April 2007, 08:10 PM

Hi Jens,

thanks for the reply

, it is indeed a nice sword....and if I read you correctly ....these holes were nothing to do with decoration or used as a 'score card'..... I could understand if the holes were near the spine.....as there would be less 'weakening' of the blade.

Emanuel, I must also admit a growing interest in Indo-persian arms....their forms and functions are facinating, and some of the quality examples are breath taking

Regards David

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27th April 2007, 10:51 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Thank you for your confidence, but knowing that BI and Jim are very occupied, I will try to answer. It is true that weapons connected to the Sikh’s usually goes rather high on auctions, and if they are decorated with gold – even higher. This can, however, not be a surprise. First it looks nice, and secondly the gold represents a value, but back to the weapon in question. The holes do not represent a certain number of hanged men. If they represent anything, it is one hundred men killed, with the sword, for each hole – not hanged, but so far I believe it to be a rumor. So I do seriously doubt that this is the case with this sword. The holes in question are, as far as I have seen them, made in a need row along the spine of the blade, if the is more than one – and not scattered over the blade.

28th April 2007, 08:10 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jens, thanks for the reply , it is indeed a nice sword....and if I read you correctly ....these holes were nothing to do with decoration or used as a 'score card'..... I could understand if the holes were near the spine.....as there would be less 'weakening' of the blade. Emanuel, I must also admit a growing interest in Indo-persian arms....their forms and functions are facinating, and some of the quality examples are breath taking Regards David