Strange cutting weapons of Mirkasims army with pix. ex.Nepal

fearn · 27th June 2005, 06:45 PM

Cool weapons.

Not being a lawyer, I'll stay out of that discussion

However, I think that the thin-bladed swords might be "firangi" blades, which i believe were European rapier blades (trade blades) fitted with Indian handles.

As for the patas, I thought the bigger ones got up to 4' long. 3' would look stubby if this is so, although I think it's a saner length. Then again, the losers had the short swords, so go figure.

Fearn

ariel · 27th June 2005, 06:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fearn

Cool weapons.

Not being a lawyer, I'll stay out of that discussion

However, I think that the thin-bladed swords might be "firangi" blades, which i believe were European rapier blades (trade blades) fitted with Indian handles.

As for the patas, I thought the bigger ones got up to 4' long. 3' would look stubby if this is so, although I think it's a saner length. Then again, the losers had the short swords, so go figure.

Fearn

They look awfully thin even for rapiers. |
The word rapier comes from Spanish "espada ropera", dress sword. The older European swords supplying their blades for the "firangis" were pretty broad and sturdy. Dress swords were semi-ceremonial and, if used for fighting, were mostly (not entirely!) for stabbing and as such often triangular.. They were shortish (one would not expect a fancy gentleman to drag a long piece or iron oved the dancing floor!).
The ones in the Nepalese museum look very long, narrow and flat: slashers mostly, like patas. Would be interesting to know their actual dimensions: that would help a lot.

spiral · 27th June 2005, 08:51 PM

For perspective of size, cases 1 & 3 {internaly} are the same height as a Brown Bess musket. {60 inches.} not sure about case 2.

Would like to have recorded more data than I did, other than photos, & sparse notes & did with some kukri, but theres probably between 1000 & 1200 weapons on display. {manily kora, kukri, khanda, katar & tulwar.}

I could have happily stuided each piece for several hours!

If only!

Spiral

ariel · 27th June 2005, 09:14 PM

I have been to Topkapi and Askeri Muze in Istanbul and know the feeling....

Andrew · 27th June 2005, 10:28 PM

Spiral: Thanks for sharing these.

Berk: You're not charging enough.

Rick/Mark: That looks about right to me. Cash, the gift that shows you really care!

Ariel: That doesn't sound like brain surgery.

Berkley · 28th June 2005, 04:45 AM

Quote:

Berk: You're not charging enough.

My absolute favorite, non-privileged quote from a prospective - but unaccepted - client:
"Money! - you want money?"
If I'm lyin', I'm dyin'

Aqtai · 28th June 2005, 02:38 PM

Interesting collection of weapons. It reinforces India's place as the homeland of unusual and exotic weapons. Just when you think you've seen em all, something else come along. Any interesting pieces of armour there BTW?

I'm no lawyer, but I have a feeling that if we post our own photos taken with our own cameras, then they are ours to do as we wish with. Especially as we are not putting these pics in a book, selling it and making loads of dosh!

On another point, I noticed that in several David Nicolle's Osprey books, he has photos of objects from museums all over the word, but he always has the words "authors photo" between brackets at the end of the caption.

27th June 2005, 06:45 PM	#1
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Cool weapons. Not being a lawyer, I'll stay out of that discussion However, I think that the thin-bladed swords might be "firangi" blades, which i believe were European rapier blades (trade blades) fitted with Indian handles. As for the patas, I thought the bigger ones got up to 4' long. 3' would look stubby if this is so, although I think it's a saner length. Then again, the losers had the short swords, so go figure. Fearn

27th June 2005, 08:51 PM	#3
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	For perspective of size, cases 1 & 3 {internaly} are the same height as a Brown Bess musket. {60 inches.} not sure about case 2. Would like to have recorded more data than I did, other than photos, & sparse notes & did with some kukri, but theres probably between 1000 & 1200 weapons on display. {manily kora, kukri, khanda, katar & tulwar.} I could have happily stuided each piece for several hours! If only! Spiral

27th June 2005, 09:14 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I have been to Topkapi and Askeri Muze in Istanbul and know the feeling....

27th June 2005, 10:28 PM	#5
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Spiral: Thanks for sharing these. Berk: You're not charging enough. Rick/Mark: That looks about right to me. Cash, the gift that shows you really care! Ariel: That doesn't sound like brain surgery.

28th June 2005, 02:38 PM	#7
Aqtai Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Merseyside, UK Posts: 222	Interesting collection of weapons. It reinforces India's place as the homeland of unusual and exotic weapons. Just when you think you've seen em all, something else come along. Any interesting pieces of armour there BTW? I'm no lawyer, but I have a feeling that if we post our own photos taken with our own cameras, then they are ours to do as we wish with. Especially as we are not putting these pics in a book, selling it and making loads of dosh! On another point, I noticed that in several David Nicolle's Osprey books, he has photos of objects from museums all over the word, but he always has the words "authors photo" between brackets at the end of the caption.