Vietnamese, Burmese, Thai?

[kronckew]

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

[DavidFriedman]

Excellent point. Perhaps the double saber/sword use could also spill over into non military duels.

I’m more familiar with the Chinese’s paired knives/sabers, and haven’t really seen much of the Thai styles. But yes, showmanship and street performances are a much different animal than battle skills. Good point. Thank you.

Originally Posted by kronckew

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

[David R]

Originally Posted by kronckew

The Thai use of double swords in Krabbi Krabong is a display thing. Real soldiers being sensible, used a single sword and a shield, And wore helmets. They had to contend with archers, not just admiring crowds.

Same for a lot of "Martial Arts" eye catching displays to attract the punters, and something very different when faced with a real threat!

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by David R

Same for a lot of "Martial Arts" eye catching displays to attract the punters, and something very different when faced with a real threat!

Another common fallacy is that they are 'Two-handed swords'. They are not.
The extra-long grips are to counterbalance the blade. There are a few instances when the addition of the off-hand on the pommel end can be used to add power to a strike, usually when the opponent is already down and the need to counter is less important than forcefully finishing the argument. There are a few that are SO long that they must be used two handed, more like a short pole-arm, but that is a bit unusual.

[Ren Ren]

First and fourth swords from Son La province in Northwestern Vietnam. My friend took this photo with his phone at the Quai Branly Museum in Paris.

[kronckew]

Re: swords in post #1 - Another tit-bit:

Look at the amount of rings on the hilts, shape of the pommels, etc. 2 single 19thc Tonkin sabres, not made as a pair. (lower one looks to be missing its flat guard disc & is fullered & blade is decorated).

They are also too long at 1 metre (40in.) for two handed Thai style.

[Ian]

Ren Ren,

Thanks for posting this interesting picture. The hilt on the left-most example is unusual and may well be local to the province you mention, or possibly Cambodian. The second and third are probably Thai, the second being northern Thai/Shan in style and the third seems to be Thai from the Rattanakosin period (early-mid 19th C perhaps). The fourth is Lao in style, and may be quite old.

Like many attributions in museums, classification is often by the site of collection rather than the site/culture of manufacture.

[Ren Ren]

Originally Posted by Ian

Ren Ren,
Like many attributions in museums, classification is often by the site of collection rather than the site/culture of manufacture.

You are absolutely right - this is a common problem for all museums. And more often old museums with more than a century of history suffer from it. Probably, genetic mutations tend to accumulate

[Rick]

Note the same decoration seen on one of your blades, David; could this be called a Guom even in this simple form?

[DavidFriedman]

Nice saber. I don’t know much about these kind yet.

Originally Posted by Rick

Note the same decoration seen on one of your blades, David; could this be called a Guom even in this simple form?

[DavidFriedman]

Good observation on the ring count difference on the two swords.

I will look up Tonkin sabres, as it’s a new area for me.

When the swords arrive, I will take closer pics.

Thank you.

Originally Posted by kronckew

Re: swords in post #1 - Another tit-bit:

Look at the amount of rings on the hilts, shape of the pommels, etc. 2 single 19thc Tonkin sabres, not made as a pair. (lower one looks to be missing its flat guard disc & is fullered & blade is decorated).

They are also too long at 1 metre (40in.) for two handed Thai style.