strange sword

Patterson25 · 10th October 2025, 08:07 AM

Yes, I own the sword, of course, I know the rules of the forum.

David R · 10th October 2025, 09:32 PM

I like the hot-stamp which indicates an old original blade... mounts look Korean or Burmese. Feel free to mock, but not too unkindly please, I am drinking.

RSWORD · 10th October 2025, 09:39 PM

The circular stamped mark on the blade along with the ricasso and beveled edge leans me towards India as a possibility for the blade but obviously one that has a modified tip. The circular guard, long handle and pommel are not very Indian but could be something that came together in Nepal, Assam or one of the neighboring countries.

Jim McDougall · 10th October 2025, 09:48 PM

Im with you Rick, that cartouche with likely Urdu script in that quadrant of the forte is seen on Indian blades 18th c. into early 19th. The blade then rebated in accord with conventions in the regions mentioned Assam or Nepal or even further into SE Asia.....which of course leans toward Burma.

An unusual composite which presents lots of interesting possibilities.

Patterson25 · 10th October 2025, 11:26 PM

I agree with you.
The tip of the Indian blade was cut off, with an old, aged patina.
I ended up in the same area too, Nagaland, Assam, India. Late 19 C.
I quote "The Naga people of the Nagaland in Assam, North East India use several types of swords, including a long Dao sword with a single edge blade, similar to blades of Tibet and Bhutan the neighbouring countries. These swords usually comes with an open side scabbard, like in the Dao sword offered here. This sword is most probably coming from the Angani Naga people".

ausjulius · 11th October 2025, 07:40 AM

These clipped type of blades are common among several ethnic groups in what is now the the modern provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi.
The tai/dai larger ethno group makes such swords.. many of the Zhuang people's swords have such a clipped tip..
The Bai in yunnan also make swords in this style.

Patterson25 · 11th October 2025, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ausjulius

These clipped type of blades are common among several ethnic groups in what is now the the modern provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi.
The tai/dai larger ethno group makes such swords.. many of the Zhuang people's swords have such a clipped tip..
The Bai in yunnan also make swords in this style.

I went in that direction first, because of Muslim minorities there.
However the blade is Indian as noticed by rsword and mcDougal.
I don't even think the script is Arabic, but rather Urdu or Farsi...

ausjulius · 11th October 2025, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patterson25

I went in that direction first, because of Muslim minorities there.
However the blade is Indian as noticed by rsword and mcDougal.
I don't even think the script is Arabic, but rather Urdu or Farsi...

yep the blade doesn't match the sword thats for sure and does look indian to me..
but the shape and style is from that region.

10th October 2025, 08:07 AM	#1
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 7	Yes, I own the sword, of course, I know the rules of the forum.

10th October 2025, 09:32 PM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,138	I like the hot-stamp which indicates an old original blade... mounts look Korean or Burmese. Feel free to mock, but not too unkindly please, I am drinking.

10th October 2025, 09:39 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,094	The circular stamped mark on the blade along with the ricasso and beveled edge leans me towards India as a possibility for the blade but obviously one that has a modified tip. The circular guard, long handle and pommel are not very Indian but could be something that came together in Nepal, Assam or one of the neighboring countries.

10th October 2025, 09:48 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,687	Im with you Rick, that cartouche with likely Urdu script in that quadrant of the forte is seen on Indian blades 18th c. into early 19th. The blade then rebated in accord with conventions in the regions mentioned Assam or Nepal or even further into SE Asia.....which of course leans toward Burma. An unusual composite which presents lots of interesting possibilities.

10th October 2025, 11:26 PM	#5
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 7	I agree with you. The tip of the Indian blade was cut off, with an old, aged patina. I ended up in the same area too, Nagaland, Assam, India. Late 19 C. I quote "The Naga people of the Nagaland in Assam, North East India use several types of swords, including a long Dao sword with a single edge blade, similar to blades of Tibet and Bhutan the neighbouring countries. These swords usually comes with an open side scabbard, like in the Dao sword offered here. This sword is most probably coming from the Angani Naga people".

11th October 2025, 07:40 AM	#6
ausjulius Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: musorian territory Posts: 480	These clipped type of blades are common among several ethnic groups in what is now the the modern provinces of Yunnan and Guangxi. The tai/dai larger ethno group makes such swords.. many of the Zhuang people's swords have such a clipped tip.. The Bai in yunnan also make swords in this style.