Lao Dha/daab

Ian · 28th July 2025, 09:07 PM

Detlef,

In a very old thread, Contemporary Thai daab, on the UBB platform (now gone) there were examples of the turtle stamp on daab brought back by US Vietnam War vets. I will see if I can find an example in my files. That thread was posted more than 20 years ago and is still referenced in the Classic Threads shown at the top of the Ethno Forum contents page. Unfortunately, you will get a "404" message if you click on the link.

Regards, Ian.

Iain · 30th July 2025, 01:57 PM

The so called turtle mark is generally common around Lampang and the surrounding areas and dates back to the 19th century as far as is generally known. You don't see as many of them in western collections but there are plenty of very nicely made blades showing it in Thai collections. As I've mentioned before on this thread, all dha/daab need to be judged based on all their attributes and not on a single blade mark or any other attribute. Does that mean you won't find that mark on much later swords? Of course not, but it is in no way a 'tourist' marking.

From Lampang the mark and/or blades seems to have been traded across the wider region and you see examples in Lao silver dress as Detlef as kindly posted an example of.

Keep in mind that handles, pommels and other fittings could and would be changed and refreshed during the working life of a sword. This is still common practice in the region and considered acceptable in local collecting circles to carry out quite extensive restorations.

I'd be happy to share some more resources on these swords as there are collectors in Thailand who specialize in these types, but these will of course be Thai language.

kronckew · 31st July 2025, 08:22 AM

The old posts of 20 years ago a lot has changed and western ideas on dha and daab swords has all been updated by Thai and other SE Asian people who are boots on the ground.

So much more is known about Thai swords Burmese, Laos, Cambodian in the countries of origin , there are now many online swords groups who discuss them and a very well known fact about the turtle mark is that it was used on daab swords going back as far as the start of the 19thc, possibly earlier at later 18thc in north Thailand Lampang region and others, blades were made there and traded into Laos and other regions of the north, also many were copied to with the mark on them in the Vietnam war period.

31st July 2025, 08:22 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	The old posts of 20 years ago a lot has changed and western ideas on dha and daab swords has all been updated by Thai and other SE Asian people who are boots on the ground. So much more is known about Thai swords Burmese, Laos, Cambodian in the countries of origin , there are now many online swords groups who discuss them and a very well known fact about the turtle mark is that it was used on daab swords going back as far as the start of the 19thc, possibly earlier at later 18thc in north Thailand Lampang region and others, blades were made there and traded into Laos and other regions of the north, also many were copied to with the mark on them in the Vietnam war period. Last edited by kronckew; Yesterday at 12:14 AM.

28th July 2025, 09:07 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Detlef, In a very old thread, Contemporary Thai daab, on the UBB platform (now gone) there were examples of the turtle stamp on daab brought back by US Vietnam War vets. I will see if I can find an example in my files. That thread was posted more than 20 years ago and is still referenced in the Classic Threads shown at the top of the Ethno Forum contents page. Unfortunately, you will get a "404" message if you click on the link. Regards, Ian.

30th July 2025, 01:57 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	The so called turtle mark is generally common around Lampang and the surrounding areas and dates back to the 19th century as far as is generally known. You don't see as many of them in western collections but there are plenty of very nicely made blades showing it in Thai collections. As I've mentioned before on this thread, all dha/daab need to be judged based on all their attributes and not on a single blade mark or any other attribute. Does that mean you won't find that mark on much later swords? Of course not, but it is in no way a 'tourist' marking. From Lampang the mark and/or blades seems to have been traded across the wider region and you see examples in Lao silver dress as Detlef as kindly posted an example of. Keep in mind that handles, pommels and other fittings could and would be changed and refreshed during the working life of a sword. This is still common practice in the region and considered acceptable in local collecting circles to carry out quite extensive restorations. I'd be happy to share some more resources on these swords as there are collectors in Thailand who specialize in these types, but these will of course be Thai language.