DHA / DAAB / GLAIVE

Royston · 6th February 2015, 05:24 PM

Not seen the like of this before.

Chinese pole-arm blade on a Thai hilt ???

It appears correct. When I first saw it I thought there was a bit of spot welding where the blade joins the hilt but on closer inspection it is a bit of turned over silver.

Sorry about the photos, not much light left when I got it home.

A large, two-handed, heavy item.
Blade is 26 inches long
Overall length is 38 inches
1/4 inch thick at the hilt.

Massive ivory hilt with silver dress. The hilt is just over 2 inches in diameter.

All comments welcome.

Regards
Roy

Battara · 6th February 2015, 09:07 PM

That is interesting. It does have a Thai flavor doesn't it, and yet the blade screams Chinese!

VANDOO · 6th February 2015, 10:01 PM

I HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE THAT WERE THAI AND CARRIED AT THE FRONT OF PROCESSIONS INVOLVING IMPORTANT PEOPLE. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN WERE A PAIR AND TOO LARGE AND HEAVY FOR ANYTHING BUT CEREMONIAL USE. THEY MAY HAVE USED SOMETHING SIMILAR IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

Timo Nieminen · 6th February 2015, 11:39 PM

Blade doesn't look especially Chinese to me. Some Chinese influence, sure, but is there any reason to think that it isn't a SE Asian ceremonial blade (whether originally polearm or made-as-sword)?

Nathaniel · 7th February 2015, 05:03 AM

Yes, ceremonial Thai...originally as a sword...all like this are oversized...with the massive ivory handles...and not super fine silverwork, but still impressive. Yes, Chinese influence with the blade. You see Chinese influence so often throughout southeast asia...definitely within Thailand it is very common to find smiths and craftsman of Chinese descent.

Very nice find Royston. Thanks for sharing

Andrew · 7th February 2015, 04:04 PM

Agreed--these are not for fighting. Ceremonial, decorative, display, etc. Some are truly massive and huge.

Royston · 12th February 2015, 06:16 PM

Thanks for the information Gentlemen. Ian, it certainly looks like the one on Artzi's site.

Love the idea of an elephant using a sword, but I think it is probably a fallacy.

From the feel of it I think it would be too awkward to use from a Howda, even two-handed it is difficult to swing and it would not be a very effective stabbing weapon. If I was trying to prevent an enemy from climbing onto the elephant I would use a long spear or some form of pole arm.

Mind you, Howda pistols were massive, so perhaps this is just continuing the trend

Regards
Roy

Nathaniel · 13th February 2015, 04:47 AM

Nah, definitely not used by elephants. While elephants are very smart and have impressive dexterity with their trunks eg painting pictures or picking up things even as carefully as a hat off a mans head as well as brut strength ie picking up or rolling logs...it would have not been of practical use for them to have a sword with their trunks...they could just far easier knock a man down or even pick him up with his trunk and toss him...or step on him....

More often than not elephants were used a machines of transporting heavy items such as cannons or other supplies, and assisting with construction or destruction for that matter.

6th February 2015, 05:24 PM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	DHA / DAAB / GLAIVE Not seen the like of this before. Chinese pole-arm blade on a Thai hilt ??? It appears correct. When I first saw it I thought there was a bit of spot welding where the blade joins the hilt but on closer inspection it is a bit of turned over silver. Sorry about the photos, not much light left when I got it home. A large, two-handed, heavy item. Blade is 26 inches long Overall length is 38 inches 1/4 inch thick at the hilt. Massive ivory hilt with silver dress. The hilt is just over 2 inches in diameter. All comments welcome. Regards Roy Attached Images

7th February 2015, 05:03 AM	#5
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Yes, ceremonial Thai...originally as a sword...all like this are oversized...with the massive ivory handles...and not super fine silverwork, but still impressive. Yes, Chinese influence with the blade. You see Chinese influence so often throughout southeast asia...definitely within Thailand it is very common to find smiths and craftsman of Chinese descent. Very nice find Royston. Thanks for sharing Last edited by Nathaniel; 7th February 2015 at 09:15 PM.

6th February 2015, 09:07 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	That is interesting. It does have a Thai flavor doesn't it, and yet the blade screams Chinese!

6th February 2015, 10:01 PM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE SEEN A FEW OF THESE THAT WERE THAI AND CARRIED AT THE FRONT OF PROCESSIONS INVOLVING IMPORTANT PEOPLE. THE ONES I HAVE SEEN WERE A PAIR AND TOO LARGE AND HEAVY FOR ANYTHING BUT CEREMONIAL USE. THEY MAY HAVE USED SOMETHING SIMILAR IN OTHER COUNTRIES IN THE REGION.

6th February 2015, 11:39 PM	#4
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	Blade doesn't look especially Chinese to me. Some Chinese influence, sure, but is there any reason to think that it isn't a SE Asian ceremonial blade (whether originally polearm or made-as-sword)?

7th February 2015, 04:04 PM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Agreed--these are not for fighting. Ceremonial, decorative, display, etc. Some are truly massive and huge.

12th February 2015, 06:16 PM	#7
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 441	Thanks for the information Gentlemen. Ian, it certainly looks like the one on Artzi's site. Love the idea of an elephant using a sword, but I think it is probably a fallacy. From the feel of it I think it would be too awkward to use from a Howda, even two-handed it is difficult to swing and it would not be a very effective stabbing weapon. If I was trying to prevent an enemy from climbing onto the elephant I would use a long spear or some form of pole arm. Mind you, Howda pistols were massive, so perhaps this is just continuing the trend Regards Roy

13th February 2015, 04:47 AM	#8
Nathaniel Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 865	Nah, definitely not used by elephants. While elephants are very smart and have impressive dexterity with their trunks eg painting pictures or picking up things even as carefully as a hat off a mans head as well as brut strength ie picking up or rolling logs...it would have not been of practical use for them to have a sword with their trunks...they could just far easier knock a man down or even pick him up with his trunk and toss him...or step on him.... More often than not elephants were used a machines of transporting heavy items such as cannons or other supplies, and assisting with construction or destruction for that matter.