Hunting Tulwar (Tulwar Shikargah)

Jim McDougall · 26th February 2022, 03:21 PM

This is a fascinating example, and I know I have seen one either similar or perhaps this very sword in references someplace (it'll drive me nuts til I find it). The example I recall had that same SAN RoqE inscription.
I am thinking it may have been seen in "The Lore of Arms" (William Reid, 1920/1984 repr) but dont have it at hand. I know I included it in notes on Spanish weapons I was compiling.

The Moorish distinction is well noted, and what it most interesting is the 'yataghan' type forward curve, the wire wrapped grip neck (as on Islamic swords such as shamshir, and often on hangers etc. ). This feature has been seen on Spanish colonial swords in the central and south American sphere.
Note the 'karabela' hilt nimcha which is Arab but circulated throughout Mediterranean regions and into the Spanish sphere through trade routes in their colonies in Morocco.

I think the Cordoba, Argentina attribution is correct, as this resembles the machete like knife/sword known as the 'facon' in these South American regions.
The allegoric zoomorphic 'dog head' seems in accord with the San Roque legend.
Note the resemblance in the rearward extension of the blade at forte, resembling those of many facon.
Similar machete type swords with these kinds of zoomorphic pommels are known in Central American and tropical Mexican regions as well.

26th February 2022, 03:21 PM	#22
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,200	This is a fascinating example, and I know I have seen one either similar or perhaps this very sword in references someplace (it'll drive me nuts til I find it). The example I recall had that same SAN RoqE inscription. I am thinking it may have been seen in "The Lore of Arms" (William Reid, 1920/1984 repr) but dont have it at hand. I know I included it in notes on Spanish weapons I was compiling. The Moorish distinction is well noted, and what it most interesting is the 'yataghan' type forward curve, the wire wrapped grip neck (as on Islamic swords such as shamshir, and often on hangers etc. ). This feature has been seen on Spanish colonial swords in the central and south American sphere. Note the 'karabela' hilt nimcha which is Arab but circulated throughout Mediterranean regions and into the Spanish sphere through trade routes in their colonies in Morocco. I think the Cordoba, Argentina attribution is correct, as this resembles the machete like knife/sword known as the 'facon' in these South American regions. The allegoric zoomorphic 'dog head' seems in accord with the San Roque legend. Note the resemblance in the rearward extension of the blade at forte, resembling those of many facon. Similar machete type swords with these kinds of zoomorphic pommels are known in Central American and tropical Mexican regions as well. Attached Images Last edited by Jim McDougall; 26th February 2022 at 03:40 PM.