Talismanic Devices and Imbuements on Islamic Arms

[Jim McDougall]

AHAH!!! The dreaded five dot combination!!!
OK that makes sense, and works out by saving space.
With that in mind, I think of the dot combinations in the Italian blade markings. ….those 'Genoan' sickle marks while seen in pretty standard arrangement were often realigned in all sorts of configurations.

It truly is interesting to look into. A mark may have had peculiar significance in its origin, then later become looked at as a sign of quality......further copying led to its use as an aesthetic theme or arrangement...its original meaning long lost.

In Germany the use of Toledo markings were much in this manner, and certain marks were paired or grouped completely incongruently .

It all makes for interesting study and investigation for those who enjoy a good mystery.....weapons have a lot of 'em!!

[Edster]

Great thread. I'm learning that:

Seldom is a cigar just a cigar!

[Jens Nordlunde]

Here is the sickle with the three dots.
Detail from a tulwar blade. Mughal late 17th to early 18th century.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

SEE http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=7138 where MATCHLOCK (RIP) placed a stunning article on the haquebus and showed three dots at #! on the 6th picture. BELOW

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

More on the 3 dot structure using an image of an Afghanistan Pulwar ~

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

More on the 3 dot structure using an image of an Islamic Gun at the cannon barrel end. ~

[Norman McCormick]

Hi,
Here's another configuration of the three dots. They are on a sword that I can only describe as an Indian style cutlass.
Regards,
Norman.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
Here's another configuration of the three dots. They are on a sword that I can only describe as an Indian style cutlass.
Regards,
Norman.

Most tactfully and well described Norman lest we stir another 'name game' debate!! It seems that the term may be well placed, given that the Marathas were known for their notable naval power.


Ibrahiim thank you for these further examples into use on guns in various contexts. It seems I recall in our findings that in many cases there were numbers of gold metal filled dots on the blades of early Islamic swords (varied in number) which were said to be talismans to bring luck.


With reference to the three dot configuration in European context, the heavy bladed swords with rebated blade tips typically used as 'bearing swords' (though often termed more nefariously) often had three holes at the tip of the blade. These have been explained as to be there to create a whistling in the stroke; to attach weights and not sure of what other fanciful purposes..however the representation of the Holy Trinity is most reasonable.


Curiously, heavy bladed swords in Africa claimed to be used in similar purpose in cases have had the same three holes in the same blade location.


Jens shows a great example of Mughal tulwar with the familiar sickle and three dots configuration, clearly copying the European mark well known on blades elsewhere in India in many instances.