Elephant swords

Jim McDougall · 1st December 2019, 05:25 PM

Well said in your inimitable and intriguing manner Fernando!!! The 'spicing' of these accounts and the artwork which evolved in the same themes by imaginative and creative writers and artists have presented us with a challenging task, to break through these colorful veneers to find the truth.
Absolutely perfectly placed analogy to this chapter of the topic, which has indeed become reminiscent of Noah and his ark in degree in its zoologic periphery.

It has indeed been a lively and thought provoking discussion, and personally I think some great perspectives have been gained on this topic and the related situations with animals in warfare. Its always amazing what can be learned when thinking, and discussion, can move 'outside the box'!

Milogow360 · 3rd July 2020, 10:36 PM

The oldest mentioning of tusk blades was from Timur biography. Of his invasion of the Delhi Sultanates.

ariel · 4th July 2020, 07:55 AM

Can you post the text and its source?

rysays · 13th July 2020, 02:20 AM

I have some limited experience working with antique Indian & mammoth ivory and while it's very strong, it's also somewhat brittle. When ivory breaks, the cracks can chip & spread like a split log. I assume a elephant tusk broken close to the root would be as painful as a broken tooth is to a human.

In the scenario where tusks are being used as a weapon, the illustrations that show them blunted with metal caps & bands makes the most sense for me, since it would protect the tip from damage & the bands stop splitting. Blades on the ends of caps, while intimidating, could be big levers that would risk breaking the tusk in use. I wouldn't want to ride on top of an frenzied elephant with a toothache & my hypothesis is the bands/caps are to protect the tusks while they're used as bludgeons, and the rarity of tusk swords implies they were tried but abandoned outside parades.

Ian · 14th July 2020, 02:09 AM

Welcome to the Forum, rysays, and thanks for these comments.

kronckew · 14th July 2020, 05:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rysays

...it's also somewhat brittle. When ivory breaks, the cracks can chip & spread like a split log.

When I was stationed in Alaska, I bought a small Walrus Ivory Polar Bear carving from an Aleut. After a few decades, it started cracking. I soaked it in mineral oil, which was the recommendation back then, to stop it from further cracks. Oiling your elephant's tusks might help, if they let you.

Milogow360 · 20th July 2020, 12:53 AM

Chinese monk account of sword attachments to the trunk. Artist representation of the same from Gandhara, 1st-2nd+ Century AD.

fernando · 20th July 2020, 06:51 PM

Most interesting, Milogow360. Thanks for sharing.

20th July 2020, 12:53 AM	#7
Milogow360 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 18	Chinese monk account of sword attachments to the trunk. Artist representation of the same from Gandhara, 1st-2nd+ Century AD. Attached Images

1st December 2019, 05:25 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Well said in your inimitable and intriguing manner Fernando!!! The 'spicing' of these accounts and the artwork which evolved in the same themes by imaginative and creative writers and artists have presented us with a challenging task, to break through these colorful veneers to find the truth. Absolutely perfectly placed analogy to this chapter of the topic, which has indeed become reminiscent of Noah and his ark in degree in its zoologic periphery. It has indeed been a lively and thought provoking discussion, and personally I think some great perspectives have been gained on this topic and the related situations with animals in warfare. Its always amazing what can be learned when thinking, and discussion, can move 'outside the box'!

3rd July 2020, 10:36 PM	#2
Milogow360 Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 18	The oldest mentioning of tusk blades was from Timur biography. Of his invasion of the Delhi Sultanates.

4th July 2020, 07:55 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Can you post the text and its source?

13th July 2020, 02:20 AM	#4
rysays Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Location: NY, NY Posts: 9	I have some limited experience working with antique Indian & mammoth ivory and while it's very strong, it's also somewhat brittle. When ivory breaks, the cracks can chip & spread like a split log. I assume a elephant tusk broken close to the root would be as painful as a broken tooth is to a human. In the scenario where tusks are being used as a weapon, the illustrations that show them blunted with metal caps & bands makes the most sense for me, since it would protect the tip from damage & the bands stop splitting. Blades on the ends of caps, while intimidating, could be big levers that would risk breaking the tusk in use. I wouldn't want to ride on top of an frenzied elephant with a toothache & my hypothesis is the bands/caps are to protect the tusks while they're used as bludgeons, and the rarity of tusk swords implies they were tried but abandoned outside parades.

14th July 2020, 02:09 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,521	Welcome to the Forum, rysays, and thanks for these comments.

20th July 2020, 06:51 PM	#8
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Most interesting, Milogow360. Thanks for sharing.