ID help with my collection

christek · 12th June 2012, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emanuel

Hi Chris, welcome to the forum!

The shape of the two tulwar hilts is often associated with Sikhs. Don't recall the source on that, but it comes with the caveat that Sikhs, like everyone else in India, used whatever was available, regardless of details. That said, the rosette pommel "washer" points to Rajasthani work. Late 19th century in my opinion.

Regards,
Emanuel

Hi Emanual,

Thank you for the reply; very interesting suggestions. I will do some research regarding 'rosette pommel washers' and 'Rajasthani' as I do not currently understand their meanings. From my limited understanding and research I agree that these tulwars could date from the late 19th Century.

Thank you, and kind regards.

David R · 12th June 2012, 09:48 PM

Re tulwars, acording to the late great H. Russel Robinson, battle tulwars widen slightly to the point, and are generaly older, and hunting tulwars narrow slightly to the point, and are generaly later. The area designated being the point of optimal percussion which is usualy one third of the total length down from the point. In hunting there is little risk of another blade cutting off the forefinger. In battle the sword is used to strike only, defence and parrying is done with the shield.
India is a huge country, and there is a lot of variation in detail of hilts and blades, and blades were traded all over India, and the world.
The best diagnostic for an Indian blade is the existance of a blunt section on the first 2 inches of the blade next the hilt, as in never sharpened and intended to be left blunt, known as the "Indian ricasso".
This site is a rich source of information, and a delight to explore, enjoy your visits, and welcome to the wonderfull world of collecting. XD

G. McCormack · 13th June 2012, 01:06 AM

Christek-

Your tulwar hilts are designed with the same intent as many viking hilts. The goal is to lock the hand in place. The wrist is disabled. It's less about hand size, but more about no little wrist flicks. Swords used in this way emphasize an edge moving closer to perpendicular to the target instead of parallel, to maximize contact between the edge and the target. When more wrist mobility comes into play, contact takes place in a more parallel manner.

christek · 13th June 2012, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G. McCormack

Christek-

Your tulwar hilts are designed with the same intent as many viking hilts. The goal is to lock the hand in place. The wrist is disabled. It's less about hand size, but more about no little wrist flicks. Swords used in this way emphasize an edge moving closer to perpendicular to the target instead of parallel, to maximize contact between the edge and the target. When more wrist mobility comes into play, contact takes place in a more parallel manner.

Very interesting!

A (very careful) enactment of the above, using the tulwar proves this statement very true. Of course, I am completely untrained in tulwar fighting, but I could tell the sword is not designed for wrist mobility; The user has to swing, or bring down his whole arm, a process completely contrasting to other sword designs and fighting: such as rapiers and fencing.

I thought I would post a photo of some Viking examples to note the hilt design and illustrate the similar process.

Emanuel · 13th June 2012, 05:46 AM

Hi Chris,

The the top of the handle (pommel) consists essentially of a large disk and a large somewhat conical or semi-spherical "nut". Between them is a washer, with rosette or sun burst shape. This sunburst-shaped washer has been associated with swords from the state of Rajasthan, see this thread:http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4479 Of course given India's size and complexity it could be from any number of armouries around the country.

Regards,
Emanuel

Quote:

Originally Posted by christek

Hi Emanual,

Thank you for the reply; very interesting suggestions. I will do some research regarding 'rosette pommel washers' and 'Rajasthani' as I do not currently understand their meanings. From my limited understanding and research I agree that these tulwars could date from the late 19th Century.

Thank you, and kind regards.

12th June 2012, 09:48 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,057	Re tulwars, acording to the late great H. Russel Robinson, battle tulwars widen slightly to the point, and are generaly older, and hunting tulwars narrow slightly to the point, and are generaly later. The area designated being the point of optimal percussion which is usualy one third of the total length down from the point. In hunting there is little risk of another blade cutting off the forefinger. In battle the sword is used to strike only, defence and parrying is done with the shield. India is a huge country, and there is a lot of variation in detail of hilts and blades, and blades were traded all over India, and the world. The best diagnostic for an Indian blade is the existance of a blunt section on the first 2 inches of the blade next the hilt, as in never sharpened and intended to be left blunt, known as the "Indian ricasso". This site is a rich source of information, and a delight to explore, enjoy your visits, and welcome to the wonderfull world of collecting. XD Last edited by David R; 12th June 2012 at 09:54 PM. Reason: Added information.

13th June 2012, 01:06 AM	#3
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Christek- Your tulwar hilts are designed with the same intent as many viking hilts. The goal is to lock the hand in place. The wrist is disabled. It's less about hand size, but more about no little wrist flicks. Swords used in this way emphasize an edge moving closer to perpendicular to the target instead of parallel, to maximize contact between the edge and the target. When more wrist mobility comes into play, contact takes place in a more parallel manner.