Zig-Zag Ladder Pattern

[Richard Furrer]

Hello All,
I just found this discussion.
It is an interesting blade. I have not seen this pattern before.

I saw many odd patterns while at the Alwar Armory in India last year..some in pattern-weld, but several "unique" pieces in wootz. I would not discount the age of the blade due to pattern alone. I saw one with zig zags emanating from a central "rose" like a sun.....also one of the symbols for the rulers in the area.
What Jeff says about the shallowness of the rungs does ring true, but I would also have you take note of the pitting found near the tip in the fourth photo. If the blade were reforged then the pitting would be different then that I think. What makes the rungs look "odd" is that they were cut with straight sides (pattern is "dense" at the ends of the cut)...much like what is left from an angle grinder rather than a file/chisel, but ....though I think both Jeff and I could pull off such a "trick" neither would do the work for a price that would make a profit at that going rate...at least I did not do this piece.
I could say more if I had the blade in hand.

I wish the blade were in my collection.

Ric