Another tulwar

Jim McDougall · 19th November 2007, 12:55 AM

I just wanted to join in, and as Jens has noted, most that can be said on this sturdy tulwar already has been said. I agree it is of 19th century, probably late, and the blade is of cross section and profile that seem pretty well established on tulwars of this period. By this time, the British Raj had created considerable commercial enterprise with weaponry and outfitting for the occupying forces there.
I wonder also about the square nut on the pommel. It seems tulwars typically had a capstan with pierced hole that I understand was for unscrewing and disassembling the hilt. Is it possible that this square capstan might have been for similar purpose but with more industrial application, a socket or wrench?

If indeed weapons were kept disassembled as has been discussed (I would presume this practice was applied in some cases but certainly not universally in various armouries) then such a feature would better facilitate assembly.
I honestly have not seen the square on tulwars either, but knowing the volume of munitions activity undertaken in arming the many Native Cavalry regiments for many years it was undoubtedly quite an undertaking. There were specific regulations for tulwars to be carried by these cavalry and I have seen listings indicating which type swords were to be carried. Some units had selected the standard tulwar, and blade lengths varied..I believe that Bengal for example were 31" while Madras was 33" or vice versa, cannot recall exactly. While the question concerning military inspection or armoury marks would be valid, many times such markings did not appear on weapons.
If interchanging blades to meet regulation when arms moved to other armoury, perhaps an explanation?
Just thoughts!
In any case, a solid example!

All best regards,
Jim

katana · 19th November 2007, 12:40 PM

As resin was used to fix the blades ...it is not surprising that Tulwars could easily be re-hilted. Damaged hilts (broken knuckle guards, cracked quillions etc.) could quickly be 'fixed' in the 'field'. All you would need is a fire (to gently heat the blade), a replacement hilt and some resin. In a prolonged conflict this must have been an advantage to keep swords serviceable. It would also be easy to 'up grade' the hilt in peacetime. Bearing in mind many early European swords were rattailed which were 'peened' over at the pommel, hilt replacement would require skilled hands to replace.

Another, interesting property of the resin is it had 'shock absorbing' qualities relieving 'shock' to the arm as the blade made contact.

Jim, it has just occured to me.....could the choil be there ...so that the blade could be held securely whilst rehilting !!! Or is this idea not new.

Regards David

Jens Nordlunde · 19th November 2007, 02:54 PM

That tulwars should have been kept disassembled due to fear of rebellion is something I don’t believe in, although I can’t prove it, if they were; it could be for other reasons, like lack of space. It must also be taken in consideration, that some of the tulwar hilts were not only fastened with resin, but also with pins going from hilt side to hilt side piercing the tang, and hidden in the floral decoration of the hilt. It is however likely, that the less decorated hilts were only fastened to the blade with resin.

The blade is relatively short, as most of the tulwar blades are 10-15 cm longer, but this does not mean much, as the blades are found in many sizes, and from what Fernando writes, the tulwar seems to be in good balance, and if the edge is sharp, like Rick suggest that it most likely is, it would still be a good fighting tulwar.

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19th November 2007, 12:55 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,298	I just wanted to join in, and as Jens has noted, most that can be said on this sturdy tulwar already has been said. I agree it is of 19th century, probably late, and the blade is of cross section and profile that seem pretty well established on tulwars of this period. By this time, the British Raj had created considerable commercial enterprise with weaponry and outfitting for the occupying forces there. I wonder also about the square nut on the pommel. It seems tulwars typically had a capstan with pierced hole that I understand was for unscrewing and disassembling the hilt. Is it possible that this square capstan might have been for similar purpose but with more industrial application, a socket or wrench? If indeed weapons were kept disassembled as has been discussed (I would presume this practice was applied in some cases but certainly not universally in various armouries) then such a feature would better facilitate assembly. I honestly have not seen the square on tulwars either, but knowing the volume of munitions activity undertaken in arming the many Native Cavalry regiments for many years it was undoubtedly quite an undertaking. There were specific regulations for tulwars to be carried by these cavalry and I have seen listings indicating which type swords were to be carried. Some units had selected the standard tulwar, and blade lengths varied..I believe that Bengal for example were 31" while Madras was 33" or vice versa, cannot recall exactly. While the question concerning military inspection or armoury marks would be valid, many times such markings did not appear on weapons. If interchanging blades to meet regulation when arms moved to other armoury, perhaps an explanation? Just thoughts! In any case, a solid example! All best regards, Jim

19th November 2007, 12:40 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	As resin was used to fix the blades ...it is not surprising that Tulwars could easily be re-hilted. Damaged hilts (broken knuckle guards, cracked quillions etc.) could quickly be 'fixed' in the 'field'. All you would need is a fire (to gently heat the blade), a replacement hilt and some resin. In a prolonged conflict this must have been an advantage to keep swords serviceable. It would also be easy to 'up grade' the hilt in peacetime. Bearing in mind many early European swords were rattailed which were 'peened' over at the pommel, hilt replacement would require skilled hands to replace. Another, interesting property of the resin is it had 'shock absorbing' qualities relieving 'shock' to the arm as the blade made contact. Jim, it has just occured to me.....could the choil be there ...so that the blade could be held securely whilst rehilting !!! Or is this idea not new. Regards David

19th November 2007, 02:54 PM	#3
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	That tulwars should have been kept disassembled due to fear of rebellion is something I don’t believe in, although I can’t prove it, if they were; it could be for other reasons, like lack of space. It must also be taken in consideration, that some of the tulwar hilts were not only fastened with resin, but also with pins going from hilt side to hilt side piercing the tang, and hidden in the floral decoration of the hilt. It is however likely, that the less decorated hilts were only fastened to the blade with resin. The blade is relatively short, as most of the tulwar blades are 10-15 cm longer, but this does not mean much, as the blades are found in many sizes, and from what Fernando writes, the tulwar seems to be in good balance, and if the edge is sharp, like Rick suggest that it most likely is, it would still be a good fighting tulwar.