Dha/daab

[Marc M.]

Another dha/daab I couldn't resist.
Oal 70.5 cm, sword 66.5 cm, blade 44cm very sharp, thickness against the handle 7.8 mm and handle 22.5 cm. The handle is quite short compared to the other dha's I have. Between the blade and hilt, a copper disc, secured with two nails in the hilt. The two metal pieces look brass to me, the central part is wood into which shallow grooves have been burned, it seems. Sheath in fair condition. The rattan straps look complete to me. Wear to the rope and broken.
Origin probably Burma/Thailand?
Regards
Marc

[Tim Simmons]

Nice.

[Sajen]

Hi Marc,

A nice dha from the North-Eastern Thai/Laos region I guess after consulting a friend who is much better as I am in this collecting area.

Regards,
Detlef

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Marc,

A nice dha from the North-Eastern Thai/Laos region I guess after consulting a friend who is much better as I am in this collecting area.

Regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef
Thanks for the clarification in provenance, the handle made me suspect it could be from a different region da dha's I have.
Regards
Marc

[Jim McDougall]

While I have never collected or studied much in these areas, I did have occasion some years ago to acquire a sword very similar to the one posted by Marc. The classifications and study of these SE Asian edged weapons is it seems incredibly complex, and I very much admire the knowledge of those who command it.

When I collected this example, I was given of course the rather vague story of it being a Viet Nam 'souvenir' brought back by American GI's. In my futile effort to learn more I reached out to authorities in academic study, one professor who studied the Montagnards, and Hmong groups, actually rather collective terms for our stalwart allies during the war. She apparently had contacts with elders of some of these tribes, and showed them photos of my sword. I also reached an Army officer who had been in Viet Nam in '61 (we had been there for some time as advisors before the '65 advent). He recognized it immediately as well and noted its probable connection to tribal groups in these regions.

I recently discovered from one of the most reliable sources I know that specializes in these SE Asian swords, that this is a quite commonly seen sword but made in Thailand, apparently in large volume, probably in the center in Lampang.

While disappointed in degree of its commonality, still to me it is an excellent example of traditional swords of these regions and during these historic times even though 'recent'. My age is showing as I recall them vividly in my own time.

It seems these were essentially a 'Thai cutlass' (krabi) as opposed to the dha/daab which if I understand is more straight? lighter blade? but these are used in martial arts performances 'krabi krabong'. These are from regions in NE Thailand near Laos (my original informants had suggested Laos).
The slightly oval mark is said to represent a turtle.
To the east of the Thai areas where these are noted as situated is the Mekong River, of course often noted in accounts of the Viet Nam war.

Though a simple example of the swords of these regions and from the Viet Nam war era, it still represent the austere examples of edged weapon that might have found ersatz use as required by tribal entities in those times.

As always I welcome corrections to my comments as I am simply adding them as understood in my current research.