Tulwar....anyone recognise these marks?

Jens Nordlunde · 9th August 2006, 04:43 PM

Hi Katana,

Should I try to guess, I would say that the katar could be an armoury mark. No one has mentioned anything about any numbers. Not that it matters much, as some armouries had marks, others did not, some numbered their weapons, and others did not. If the katar is a smiths mark, which is possible although I don’t think so, this man must have been rather busy, as I can understand there are quite a number of blades out there, marked with a katar. If the katar mark is an armoury mark, they would most likely have made it in a visible place, but not necessarily in a place where you could see it better than other possible marks. The trisula, I think, is something different; this could be a religious, or other kind of a mark, used inside an area or region where the katar was also used as a mark.

This is why I am interested in knowing, if the two marks always are seen together on blades.

Jens

PS You can sometimes find blades with more than one armoury mark.

RSWORD · 9th August 2006, 07:50 PM

Here is a picture of the trisula marking on one of my blades and it is the only marking.(no katar marking). This marking, however, is made as a seperate hot forged inlay as opposed to a stamping.

katana · 9th August 2006, 08:09 PM

RS ...thats a very nice blade...

Jens Nordlunde · 9th August 2006, 09:46 PM

Very nice picture, and it is interesting, that only the trisula is shown. I think I will have to have a look around.

Thank you very much Rick - it is a very nice blade

.

Jens Nordlunde · 11th August 2007, 01:54 PM

In Hindu Arms and Ritual, Robert Elgood writes on page 107. “The Marathas marked the trident on their swords and cannons in honour of Durga and surround the latter with lamps and an impromptu altar.” Unfortunately I could not find anything about the katar stamp – yet.

Jim McDougall · 12th August 2007, 04:29 AM

Surprisingly, similar markings involving trisula and katars were recently discussed ("Help with these Marks" by Alex June 20,2007). The marks on this tulwar seem very familiar, and if I can recall, identical to others I have seen. Whether this means there are a number of swords from a certain maker or arsenal I cannot say, but it suggests that either the same sword is getting around a lot!

or as I have noted, there are a number remarkably similar.

Excellent cite from Elgood on the trisula stamp Jens!! Now again we return to the katar as discussed in Egerton (in the thread noted above), and again wonder if the siginficance could be as suggested.

Best regards,
Jim

9th August 2006, 07:50 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Here is a picture of the trisula marking on one of my blades and it is the only marking.(no katar marking). This marking, however, is made as a seperate hot forged inlay as opposed to a stamping. Attached Images

9th August 2006, 09:46 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Very nice picture, and it is interesting, that only the trisula is shown. I think I will have to have a look around. Thank you very much Rick - it is a very nice blade.

9th August 2006, 04:43 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Katana, Should I try to guess, I would say that the katar could be an armoury mark. No one has mentioned anything about any numbers. Not that it matters much, as some armouries had marks, others did not, some numbered their weapons, and others did not. If the katar is a smiths mark, which is possible although I don’t think so, this man must have been rather busy, as I can understand there are quite a number of blades out there, marked with a katar. If the katar mark is an armoury mark, they would most likely have made it in a visible place, but not necessarily in a place where you could see it better than other possible marks. The trisula, I think, is something different; this could be a religious, or other kind of a mark, used inside an area or region where the katar was also used as a mark. This is why I am interested in knowing, if the two marks always are seen together on blades. Jens PS You can sometimes find blades with more than one armoury mark.

9th August 2006, 08:09 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	RS ...thats a very nice blade...

11th August 2007, 01:54 PM	#5
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	In Hindu Arms and Ritual, Robert Elgood writes on page 107. “The Marathas marked the trident on their swords and cannons in honour of Durga and surround the latter with lamps and an impromptu altar.” Unfortunately I could not find anything about the katar stamp – yet.

12th August 2007, 04:29 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,193	Surprisingly, similar markings involving trisula and katars were recently discussed ("Help with these Marks" by Alex June 20,2007). The marks on this tulwar seem very familiar, and if I can recall, identical to others I have seen. Whether this means there are a number of swords from a certain maker or arsenal I cannot say, but it suggests that either the same sword is getting around a lot! or as I have noted, there are a number remarkably similar. Excellent cite from Elgood on the trisula stamp Jens!! Now again we return to the katar as discussed in Egerton (in the thread noted above), and again wonder if the siginficance could be as suggested. Best regards, Jim