Tulwar....anyone recognise these marks?

Rick · 11th July 2006, 01:45 AM

The trident is familiar but I cannot associate it with any maker .

"The tri headed spear (trident) - one of the renowned weapons of Lord Shiva. So this is the second important emblem of Shaivites after nandi. As the Goddess shakti also holds this trident, this is the symbol that is held high by the devotees of shakti as well."

Most likely this blade is pattern welded but before you etch be aware that the patterns on munitions grade pattern welded tulwars are often not very interesting and can be 'muddy'.
Might be better to leave it as it is .

katana · 11th July 2006, 12:49 PM

Thanks Rick,
Is there an obvious way of ID'ing munition grade blades? If I do etch and find the pattern is not to my taste, would buff polishing be enough to return it to its original condition? Thanks

Rick · 11th July 2006, 02:01 PM

Well , I think I'm seeing some cold shuts in the pictures of this tulwar so it's likely to be a pattern welded blade . The thing to keep in mind when considering an etch is that to do it successfully you must remove the patina which is an irreversible step .
Then again from the pictures I'm not so sure I see much patina ; you'll know better when you receive it .

Yeh , of course you can repolish from a vinegar etch ... as long as it isn't etched to the point of being topographic .

katana · 7th August 2006, 05:14 PM

Received Tulwar, a true heavyweight, the spine is 8mm distally tapering to 1mm at the tip. Seems well balanced and substantial. The blade has little patina except near the hilt, probably has been recently cleaned (overly cleaned, if you ask me) Done a 'slight' etch ...faint signs of pattern welding.

Anyone have any ideas about origins or possible age? This certainly is a 'working tool' , a few clean nicks in the blade and spine.
I didn't realise that these swords were ever made this heavy......the Indo-persian Army must have had a few bodybuilders in its ranks

Jens Nordlunde · 7th August 2006, 09:50 PM

Congratulations on your 'new' tulwar.
Not very good pictures the seller gave you, but hopefully you will send better ones.

Elgood writes that the Sikhs often used this mark on their weapons.
Yes, some of the tulwars are rather on the heavy side, but fearful weapons all the same, if the user knew how to users them – and I am sure they did.

katana · 7th August 2006, 09:57 PM

Thanks Jens,
I'll try and post some better pictures, tomorrow.

spiral · 7th August 2006, 10:38 PM

I wonder if the trident & kater mark signifies one of the 560 Indian princly states, that existed alongside the Raj?

Heres the flags of some of them..

linky!

& hers a similary marked sword. {personaly I would ignore the territorial provinance, without evidence..}

Another linky!

Spiral

11th July 2006, 01:45 AM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	The trident is familiar but I cannot associate it with any maker . "The tri headed spear (trident) - one of the renowned weapons of Lord Shiva. So this is the second important emblem of Shaivites after nandi. As the Goddess shakti also holds this trident, this is the symbol that is held high by the devotees of shakti as well." Most likely this blade is pattern welded but before you etch be aware that the patterns on munitions grade pattern welded tulwars are often not very interesting and can be 'muddy'. Might be better to leave it as it is .

11th July 2006, 12:49 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Rick, Is there an obvious way of ID'ing munition grade blades? If I do etch and find the pattern is not to my taste, would buff polishing be enough to return it to its original condition? Thanks

11th July 2006, 02:01 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Well , I think I'm seeing some cold shuts in the pictures of this tulwar so it's likely to be a pattern welded blade . The thing to keep in mind when considering an etch is that to do it successfully you must remove the patina which is an irreversible step . Then again from the pictures I'm not so sure I see much patina ; you'll know better when you receive it . Yeh , of course you can repolish from a vinegar etch ... as long as it isn't etched to the point of being topographic .

7th August 2006, 05:14 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Received Tulwar, a true heavyweight, the spine is 8mm distally tapering to 1mm at the tip. Seems well balanced and substantial. The blade has little patina except near the hilt, probably has been recently cleaned (overly cleaned, if you ask me) Done a 'slight' etch ...faint signs of pattern welding. Anyone have any ideas about origins or possible age? This certainly is a 'working tool' , a few clean nicks in the blade and spine. I didn't realise that these swords were ever made this heavy......the Indo-persian Army must have had a few bodybuilders in its ranks

7th August 2006, 09:50 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Congratulations on your 'new' tulwar. Not very good pictures the seller gave you, but hopefully you will send better ones. Elgood writes that the Sikhs often used this mark on their weapons. Yes, some of the tulwars are rather on the heavy side, but fearful weapons all the same, if the user knew how to users them – and I am sure they did.

7th August 2006, 09:57 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Jens, I'll try and post some better pictures, tomorrow.

7th August 2006, 10:38 PM	#7
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	I wonder if the trident & kater mark signifies one of the 560 Indian princly states, that existed alongside the Raj? Heres the flags of some of them.. linky! & hers a similary marked sword. {personaly I would ignore the territorial provinance, without evidence..} Another linky! Spiral