Dha for comments

fernando · 30th August 2012, 06:40 PM

Some arms collector from the neighborwood came around yesterday and left this example with me, for ID and comments.
Blade length 58 cms. Handle length 21 cms. Blade flat spine 8 m/m at forte and 2 m/m at tip. Weight 552 grams. The two outer sections and wirings of the handle cover are surely in silver and the central part in some 'braided' cord material that i am not able to identify.
I am not sure whether the handle interior is wood or bamboo, the orifice being either drilled or a natural hollow. Whatever secret contents that might having beeg hidden there, is gone

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Please Gentlemen, what do i have here ... type, provenance, age ?

Ah, almost forgot to tell, the blade is very sharp, judging by my bleeding finger, whilst picture taking

.

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katana · 31st August 2012, 11:31 AM

Hi 'Nando,
surprised 'Dha boys' have not replied ..... I believe this type is Burmese....nice Dha

All the best
David

Andrew · 31st August 2012, 03:14 PM

Agreed--Burmese. Looks like early 20th century to me.

As for the handle material, 'Nando, can't really tell from that photo. My inclination is bamboo.

More specifically, I believe this sword is Kachin (Jingpaw) and related/derived from that ethnic group's dao:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin

fernando · 31st August 2012, 05:46 PM

Thank you David,

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

... surprised 'Dha boys' have not replied ...

Well, i guess Dha boys are like Mohicans ... there aren't many left

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fernando · 31st August 2012, 05:56 PM

Thank you so much for your qualified input, Andrew.

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I'll be busy digesting the contents of those links.
I would never guess that the handle material could be bamboo. The thickness of the braided 'strings' is so fine that my guess would go for some kind of (rope) thread

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Andrew · 31st August 2012, 07:04 PM

'Nando, I was referring to the hollow wood core of the handle as bamboo.

The woven textile grip could be any number of materials, including cotton, linen, coconut fiber, etc.

Andrew · 31st August 2012, 07:06 PM

Oh, and there was an older thread discussing these exact weapons in the context of a "link" between Kachin dao and Burmese dha...can't seem to locate it, but will post when/if I do.

fernando · 2nd September 2012, 03:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

... I was referring to the hollow wood core of the handle as bamboo...

Sorry for my misinterpreting, Andrew

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Very hard (for me) to improve pictures. Looking again with a naked eye, there is too much texture in its profila to be wood. Also the hole is not concentric as that done with a drill. I will take for certain your inclination that it is bamboo.

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Andrew · 31st August 2012, 07:10 PM

Found it.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin

fernando · 2nd September 2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

Found it.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin

Grrreat stuff; thanks a million.

30th August 2012, 06:40 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Dha for comments Some arms collector from the neighborwood came around yesterday and left this example with me, for ID and comments. Blade length 58 cms. Handle length 21 cms. Blade flat spine 8 m/m at forte and 2 m/m at tip. Weight 552 grams. The two outer sections and wirings of the handle cover are surely in silver and the central part in some 'braided' cord material that i am not able to identify. I am not sure whether the handle interior is wood or bamboo, the orifice being either drilled or a natural hollow. Whatever secret contents that might having beeg hidden there, is gone . Please Gentlemen, what do i have here ... type, provenance, age ? Ah, almost forgot to tell, the blade is very sharp, judging by my bleeding finger, whilst picture taking . . Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 30th August 2012 at 06:54 PM.

31st August 2012, 11:31 AM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi 'Nando, surprised 'Dha boys' have not replied ..... I believe this type is Burmese....nice Dha All the best David

31st August 2012, 03:14 PM	#3
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Agreed--Burmese. Looks like early 20th century to me. As for the handle material, 'Nando, can't really tell from that photo. My inclination is bamboo. More specifically, I believe this sword is Kachin (Jingpaw) and related/derived from that ethnic group's dao: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin

31st August 2012, 05:56 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thank you so much for your qualified input, Andrew. . I'll be busy digesting the contents of those links. I would never guess that the handle material could be bamboo. The thickness of the braided 'strings' is so fine that my guess would go for some kind of (rope) thread .

31st August 2012, 07:04 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	'Nando, I was referring to the hollow wood core of the handle as bamboo. The woven textile grip could be any number of materials, including cotton, linen, coconut fiber, etc.

31st August 2012, 07:06 PM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Oh, and there was an older thread discussing these exact weapons in the context of a "link" between Kachin dao and Burmese dha...can't seem to locate it, but will post when/if I do.

31st August 2012, 07:10 PM	#9
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Found it. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=kachin