Burmese ? dha

Ian · 16th April 2021, 02:36 AM

Hi Jim,

That's a nice Shan dha and scabbard. The silverwork on the hilt and scabbard are typical Shan work. The hilt is a standard, three-part Burmese arrangement (ferrule-grip-ferrule), with the usual flanges at either end of the hilt. A similar shape appears at the tip of the scabbard. Overall, this style of dha is perhaps the easiest to identify among the dha/daab of mainland SE Asia.

The blade is a bit unusual in that it has two circular, stamped designs that are more commonly seen on blades coming from N. Thailand or southern Yunnan in the post-WWII period. For example, they are seen on some Vietnam-era bring backs. I'm not sure what those marks represent but they are probably either a maker's mark or a regional stamp. It's possible the blade was made by a Husa smith from the Achang area of southern Yunnan. The Husa are renowned sword makers who are culturally (but not ethnically) linked with the Shan.

From the materials used on the scabbard, I would say your sword is WWII-era or a little later. The quality of the blade and its tempering may give a clue to a more precise age--better quality usually being older.

16th April 2021, 02:36 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,363	Hi Jim, That's a nice Shan dha and scabbard. The silverwork on the hilt and scabbard are typical Shan work. The hilt is a standard, three-part Burmese arrangement (ferrule-grip-ferrule), with the usual flanges at either end of the hilt. A similar shape appears at the tip of the scabbard. Overall, this style of dha is perhaps the easiest to identify among the dha/daab of mainland SE Asia. The blade is a bit unusual in that it has two circular, stamped designs that are more commonly seen on blades coming from N. Thailand or southern Yunnan in the post-WWII period. For example, they are seen on some Vietnam-era bring backs. I'm not sure what those marks represent but they are probably either a maker's mark or a regional stamp. It's possible the blade was made by a Husa smith from the Achang area of southern Yunnan. The Husa are renowned sword makers who are culturally (but not ethnically) linked with the Shan. From the materials used on the scabbard, I would say your sword is WWII-era or a little later. The quality of the blade and its tempering may give a clue to a more precise age--better quality usually being older.