a recent montagnard dha i picked up

Andrew · 1st September 2010, 09:12 PM

Hi Tim. I probably wasn't clear about my thoughts on the stones--I've just never seen this type of work before on a dha. Didn't mean to insinuate this couldn't be local work, just that it was something unfamiliar to me. Were I to see this come to market, I would probably buy it for that very reason.

My primary point is that I believe strongly that the handle (including the decorative stones, wire work and "pommel plug") are later additions to an older blade. This isn't meant to impute some nefarious or fraudulent intent upon prior owners. Quite the contrary--many, many dha blades exhibit such modifications, particularly good quality blades.

1940's? Perhaps the blade.

carlitobrigante · 1st September 2010, 10:50 PM

thanks for the input Gents. Will try and come up with some better pics, the camera isnt the greatest though. will post some more asap

Nathaniel · 8th September 2010, 02:19 AM

What are the specs....seems like a large grip...pretty heavy dark lacquer.

Where is the point of balance? Love to see some more photos.

carlitobrigante · 17th September 2010, 07:37 PM

chaps sorry for late response

stats are, blade 19 inchs exactly, grip / handle is 10 inchs long including the pommel plug thingy. Weighs about 450 grams but the scales i was using are a bit dodgy!. Very light thing though. Point of balance is approx 3 inchs from the top of the handle / where blade meets the hilt.

For me the majority of pieces ive seen so far using this type of coral and turquiose for decoration are from Tibet. I wouldnt be at all surprised to find out at least some of this piece came from that area and people. I know its not what you would probably call a museum piece but still a nice interesting thing to me, some pics attached which show the strong expoxy thats been used to set the blade firm again. Who ever did it did a good job as its now rock solid and the repair doesnt stand out.

The hardened edge / temper line is clear to see in the hand but hard to get in the pics. How were the majority of these dha's tempered btw? oil or water quenched? etc? It looks on one side of the blade particularly that its got an inserted harder steel edge. On the other side it looks more like a hamon?

also ref the thick laquered ratan on the grip. Is that common or give any indicator as to where it was made?

thanks for the info chaps / dhafia :-)

apologies the pics arent the best....

oh by the way, also see here another recent one i picked up very cheap, definately a 'fighter', long approx 25 inch blade, has quite a few battle scars, some edge nicks and some blocking dents on the spine, scary sharp aswell, id love any info on which region this example likely originates? thanks for your input.

17th September 2010, 07:37 PM	#4
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	chaps sorry for late response stats are, blade 19 inchs exactly, grip / handle is 10 inchs long including the pommel plug thingy. Weighs about 450 grams but the scales i was using are a bit dodgy!. Very light thing though. Point of balance is approx 3 inchs from the top of the handle / where blade meets the hilt. For me the majority of pieces ive seen so far using this type of coral and turquiose for decoration are from Tibet. I wouldnt be at all surprised to find out at least some of this piece came from that area and people. I know its not what you would probably call a museum piece but still a nice interesting thing to me, some pics attached which show the strong expoxy thats been used to set the blade firm again. Who ever did it did a good job as its now rock solid and the repair doesnt stand out. The hardened edge / temper line is clear to see in the hand but hard to get in the pics. How were the majority of these dha's tempered btw? oil or water quenched? etc? It looks on one side of the blade particularly that its got an inserted harder steel edge. On the other side it looks more like a hamon? also ref the thick laquered ratan on the grip. Is that common or give any indicator as to where it was made? thanks for the info chaps / dhafia :-) apologies the pics arent the best.... oh by the way, also see here another recent one i picked up very cheap, definately a 'fighter', long approx 25 inch blade, has quite a few battle scars, some edge nicks and some blocking dents on the spine, scary sharp aswell, id love any info on which region this example likely originates? thanks for your input. Last edited by carlitobrigante; 17th September 2010 at 08:18 PM.

1st September 2010, 09:12 PM	#1
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Hi Tim. I probably wasn't clear about my thoughts on the stones--I've just never seen this type of work before on a dha. Didn't mean to insinuate this couldn't be local work, just that it was something unfamiliar to me. Were I to see this come to market, I would probably buy it for that very reason. My primary point is that I believe strongly that the handle (including the decorative stones, wire work and "pommel plug") are later additions to an older blade. This isn't meant to impute some nefarious or fraudulent intent upon prior owners. Quite the contrary--many, many dha blades exhibit such modifications, particularly good quality blades. 1940's? Perhaps the blade.

1st September 2010, 10:50 PM	#2
carlitobrigante Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 81	thanks for the input Gents. Will try and come up with some better pics, the camera isnt the greatest though. will post some more asap

8th September 2010, 02:19 AM	#3
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	What are the specs....seems like a large grip...pretty heavy dark lacquer. Where is the point of balance? Love to see some more photos.