Dha: Origin? Age?

Ian · 23rd April 2006, 03:09 AM

Hi Ariel:

Where: N. Thailand
When: Mid to late 20th C.

The solid brass handle is one of a kind IMO. It shows a mix of machining methods, with most of it having been turned on a lathe, although the checkering may have been done on another machine.

Definitely not an antique blade. The thin lines running the length of the blade and the squiggly "S" designs are all recent Thai embellishments that are not found much before the 1960s. There are older vines and vegetal designs that look a little like these, but they are clearly distinguished as incised designs whereas these "S" shapes have been punched into the blade.

These blades are generally of low quality, often unhardened. Don't try to cut anything with it.

The inset brass along the spine, often accompanied by incised lines and "X"s, is an older decoration perhaps dating from about 1900 or a little earlier. Again, typical N. Thai work.

Lots of these blades came back with GIs returning from Vietnam. Sometimes folks did not like the turned wooden handles on these swords and they replaced them with various materials. I have one rehilted in stag. Another that has been bolted to the tang. I've seen others rehilted with a D-guard, contoured grips, etc. I think someone along the line was taking machine shop and needed a project -- so he turned out this brass handle and stuck it on the end of his souvenir Thai daab. Then he sanded back the black painted scabbard to make it look more authentic and old.

Ian.

23rd April 2006, 03:09 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,361	Mid to late 20th C. Thai -- decorative item only Hi Ariel: Where: N. Thailand When: Mid to late 20th C. The solid brass handle is one of a kind IMO. It shows a mix of machining methods, with most of it having been turned on a lathe, although the checkering may have been done on another machine. Definitely not an antique blade. The thin lines running the length of the blade and the squiggly "S" designs are all recent Thai embellishments that are not found much before the 1960s. There are older vines and vegetal designs that look a little like these, but they are clearly distinguished as incised designs whereas these "S" shapes have been punched into the blade. These blades are generally of low quality, often unhardened. Don't try to cut anything with it. The inset brass along the spine, often accompanied by incised lines and "X"s, is an older decoration perhaps dating from about 1900 or a little earlier. Again, typical N. Thai work. Lots of these blades came back with GIs returning from Vietnam. Sometimes folks did not like the turned wooden handles on these swords and they replaced them with various materials. I have one rehilted in stag. Another that has been bolted to the tang. I've seen others rehilted with a D-guard, contoured grips, etc. I think someone along the line was taking machine shop and needed a project -- so he turned out this brass handle and stuck it on the end of his souvenir Thai daab. Then he sanded back the black painted scabbard to make it look more authentic and old. Ian.