A heavy fighting Laos daab

[Kubur]

May I ask you about the similar age.
Are they 19th or 20th c?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Kubur

May I ask you about the similar age.
Are they 19th or 20th c?

Hi Kubur, you might have missed this previous thread on the small example: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=27120

I would place both to the 18th century actually. Particularly the larger sword that is the subject of this thread. This is a fascinating period surrounding the Qing campaigns against the Burmese and the fall of Ayutthaya (1767) as well as later in the period the establishment of the current Thai monarchy with the Rattanakosin kingdom (1782).

The sword in this case shows wear to the blade as well as the brass components consistent with this age, the construction is also of a form known to be used at that time through the so called Lanna revival period.

I'm attaching a map showing the region circa 1750, after the division of Lan Xang into Vientiane, Luang Prabang and Champasak.

[Kubur]

Thank you, it is extremely interesting and so rare to see 18th c. ethno swords.
The guard looks like the helmets from the region, I think.

I have a dha that I should post, not very old, I would say 1920-30ties but extremely well made, with the name of the town on it: Bassein (Pathein).

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Kubur

Thank you, it is extremely interesting and so rare to see 18th c. ethno swords.
The guard looks like the helmets from the region, I think.

I have a dha that I should post, not very old, I would say 1920-30ties but extremely well made, with the name of the town on it: Bassein (Pathein).

Dating these swords is always tricky, compared to say European weapons, could be a little later, could be a little earlier but I think generally mid to late 18th century is safe.

Please do post yours! Always enjoy seeing more southern Burmese swords, many of the examples we normally see are northern and Shan.

[Ian]

Originally Posted by Iain

Dating these swords is always tricky, compared to say European weapons, could be a little later, could be a little earlier but I think generally mid to late 18th century is safe.

Please do post yours! Always enjoy seeing more southern Burmese swords, many of the examples we normally see are northern and Shan.

Hi Iain,
Another very nice Lao daab. I agree with your dating to 18th C. Appears to have seen some use judging from the wear on the hilt. Nice to have an example of its little brother as well. The smaller ones often came in pairs worn in crossed scabbards on the back.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Ian

Hi Iain,
Another very nice Lao daab. I agree with your dating to 18th C. Appears to have seen some use judging from the wear on the hilt. Nice to have an example of its little brother as well. The smaller ones often came in pairs worn in crossed scabbards on the back.

Glad you like it Ian and we continue to agree on dating is always encouraging. Yes, the little one really is an odd anomaly between a sword and a knife.

The big one, perhaps the most impressive thing for me is the spine thickness, this image hopefully shows it well, the other sword is a 105cm shan dha, so not exactly small either!

[Ian]

Yep. Definitely a meaty beast.