What Is This

Ron Anderson · 6th October 2010, 05:13 AM

It's amazing, whatever it is. You've certainly picked up something very very nice.

It wouldn't surprise me if this was Indian. Could be wrong but those horns remind me of fakir's horns.

Jim McDougall · 6th October 2010, 05:46 AM

Extremely nice Archer!!!
This is indeed a dual bladed bichwa, and interesting in being fashioned into a scabbard made from the style buffalo horns used for the madu madu, a parrying weapon with buffalo horns usually opposed and attached in the center.
These weapons gave the origin of the haladie, whose blades typically followed the contour of the buffalo horns and as I understand, were often considered to have Rajput origins. The design ended up as far west as Syria and ultimately became a known weapon in the Sudan.

The bichwa itself, while known through much of India in Mahratta regions, seems to have been well established with dual blades in Gujerat (also Kutch) as well as Rajasthan in degree. Many of these have the loop type hilt.

The silver mounts on this are exquisite! as is the dagger overall, and reflects quite possibly an important weapon of probably early to mid 19th century. As noted, the blades will tell more, but it looks great so far.

Beautiful!!!

All the best,
Jim

VANDOO · 6th October 2010, 05:54 AM

BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP AND A VERY UNIQUE DAGGER. I AGREE IT IS LIKELY FROM INDIA AND THE TWO HORNS APPEAR TO BE FROM A SMALL ANTELOPE CALLED BLACKBUCK WHICH IS FOUND IN INDIA AND USED FOR A FEW WEAPONS AS JIM MENTIONED. THE HANDLE APPEARS TO HAVE COME FROM A LARGER HORN MOST LIKELY WATER BUFFALOW. CONGRADULATIONS.

Battara · 6th October 2010, 06:07 AM

Beautiful silver work! What a piece!

Ron Anderson · 6th October 2010, 07:34 AM

Blackbuck horns are indeed used on the weapons known as fakir's horns.

I will post a picture of my pair. They are not all that small. They can grow quite large.

But these are obviously smaller.

archer · 9th October 2010, 03:01 AM

The Bichwa?? came in today overall length 16 inches blades about 7 1/2 inches.
This may end up being a "Fakirs' backscratcher". The cut of the blades and some of the design work may have a Moroccan influence say Koumayan like.
Blades have a brazed? spacer between them, while thin 1/16+ in.,feel functional.
I think I read that Bichwas were used for slashing and push type stabbing. It is
suited to right hand use drawing down from the left hip.
Any additional ideas? Thank you all for your help.

Steve

Nathaniel · 9th October 2010, 04:21 AM

Very interesting piece! Love the primitiveness, yet sophistication. Beautiful!

9th October 2010, 03:01 AM	#6
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Still looking for more info The Bichwa?? came in today overall length 16 inches blades about 7 1/2 inches. This may end up being a "Fakirs' backscratcher". The cut of the blades and some of the design work may have a Moroccan influence say Koumayan like. Blades have a brazed? spacer between them, while thin 1/16+ in.,feel functional. I think I read that Bichwas were used for slashing and push type stabbing. It is suited to right hand use drawing down from the left hip. Any additional ideas? Thank you all for your help. Steve Attached Images

6th October 2010, 05:13 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	It's amazing, whatever it is. You've certainly picked up something very very nice. It wouldn't surprise me if this was Indian. Could be wrong but those horns remind me of fakir's horns.

6th October 2010, 05:46 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,192	Extremely nice Archer!!! This is indeed a dual bladed bichwa, and interesting in being fashioned into a scabbard made from the style buffalo horns used for the madu madu, a parrying weapon with buffalo horns usually opposed and attached in the center. These weapons gave the origin of the haladie, whose blades typically followed the contour of the buffalo horns and as I understand, were often considered to have Rajput origins. The design ended up as far west as Syria and ultimately became a known weapon in the Sudan. The bichwa itself, while known through much of India in Mahratta regions, seems to have been well established with dual blades in Gujerat (also Kutch) as well as Rajasthan in degree. Many of these have the loop type hilt. The silver mounts on this are exquisite! as is the dagger overall, and reflects quite possibly an important weapon of probably early to mid 19th century. As noted, the blades will tell more, but it looks great so far. Beautiful!!! All the best, Jim

6th October 2010, 05:54 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP AND A VERY UNIQUE DAGGER. I AGREE IT IS LIKELY FROM INDIA AND THE TWO HORNS APPEAR TO BE FROM A SMALL ANTELOPE CALLED BLACKBUCK WHICH IS FOUND IN INDIA AND USED FOR A FEW WEAPONS AS JIM MENTIONED. THE HANDLE APPEARS TO HAVE COME FROM A LARGER HORN MOST LIKELY WATER BUFFALOW. CONGRADULATIONS.

6th October 2010, 06:07 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Beautiful silver work! What a piece!

6th October 2010, 07:34 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Blackbuck horns are indeed used on the weapons known as fakir's horns. I will post a picture of my pair. They are not all that small. They can grow quite large. But these are obviously smaller.

9th October 2010, 04:21 AM	#7
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Very interesting piece! Love the primitiveness, yet sophistication. Beautiful!