Pirate sword or chinese Dha?

kai · 2nd February 2023, 12:22 AM

This blade does not really look like any European exports.

However, a local attempt at a blade that was supposed to look similar to a colonial klewang might not be too farfetched; also quite sizeable expat communities from the Chinese coastal provinces present in Indonesia.

(BTW, I don't see any traditional dha blade style here, especially with the somewhat crude fuller. Any similar examples, Wayne?)

Regards,
Kai

Ian · 2nd February 2023, 08:34 AM

Hi Kai,

The OP would pass for a modified Burmese style dha. The narrow fuller is consistent, as is the treatment of the distal spine. While it might be from Yunnan, it could also be from Rangoon. I would put the blade as late 19th C.

Not a style of dha likely to be produced in Thailand or Laos.

kronckew · 2nd February 2023, 09:22 AM

I've found a few pictures of daab/dha from the golden triangle area on commercial sword sites, these 'lotus' tip blades with the exact same fullers and spine shapes and same length as mine, along with the more lengthy Burmese style hilts. I am satisfied the blade is from there, possibly Yunnan, where someone has tarted it up with the bits from a handy middle eastern writing case and a guard from something else handy. The Burmese and Thai swords made in this style were obviously mimicking the old Japanese Kogarasumaru (little crow) type sword from Japan,

See C0001 on Mar's excellent Dha research site at http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/C0001.htm , even has pics of the same hollowed spine as mine. some of the sidebar details may be incorrect.

2nd February 2023, 09:22 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	I've found a few pictures of daab/dha from the golden triangle area on commercial sword sites, these 'lotus' tip blades with the exact same fullers and spine shapes and same length as mine, along with the more lengthy Burmese style hilts. I am satisfied the blade is from there, possibly Yunnan, where someone has tarted it up with the bits from a handy middle eastern writing case and a guard from something else handy. The Burmese and Thai swords made in this style were obviously mimicking the old Japanese Kogarasumaru (little crow) type sword from Japan, See C0001 on Mar's excellent Dha research site at http://dharesearch.bowditch.us/C0001.htm , even has pics of the same hollowed spine as mine. some of the sidebar details may be incorrect. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 2nd February 2023 at 10:03 AM.

2nd February 2023, 12:22 AM	#1
kai Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 3,255	This blade does not really look like any European exports. However, a local attempt at a blade that was supposed to look similar to a colonial klewang might not be too farfetched; also quite sizeable expat communities from the Chinese coastal provinces present in Indonesia. (BTW, I don't see any traditional dha blade style here, especially with the somewhat crude fuller. Any similar examples, Wayne?) Regards, Kai

2nd February 2023, 08:34 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	Hi Kai, The OP would pass for a modified Burmese style dha. The narrow fuller is consistent, as is the treatment of the distal spine. While it might be from Yunnan, it could also be from Rangoon. I would put the blade as late 19th C. Not a style of dha likely to be produced in Thailand or Laos.