Indian Swords for comment

[thinreadline]

I picked these up from a house clearance yesterday and assume they are just tourist items . The scabbards are very good quality but the blades are poor and the animal head grips seem hollow and what I would call 'pot metal' .

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Can no one help out with this ID ?

[Iain]

Not really my area but I think you are spot on with your observations. From memory there was a pretty brisk industry of tourist weapons from the sub continent in a wide range of styles. These seem like they would fit into that category. I've seen many similar items on eBay - although usually the scabbards are not leather and of this quality. Perhaps these are earlier than most?

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Originally Posted by Iain

Not really my area but I think you are spot on with your observations. From memory there was a pretty brisk industry of tourist weapons from the sub continent in a wide range of styles. These seem like they would fit into that category. I've seen many similar items on eBay - although usually the scabbards are not leather and of this quality. Perhaps these are earlier than most?

Thanks Iain , yes it was the scabbards that attrracted me , I am more used to the crummy blue velvet with gold trimmings type that you see on touristy Indian swords.

[Atlantia]

Hi Richmond,

Your suspicions are correct. I'd call these decorative. They come in various slight varieties. Some seem to have very solid cast brass/bronze hilts, others somewhat thin metal hilts.
I've seen some with cast copper hilts which were originally 'silver' washed.
The quality seems to dip the later they get. I suspect that they've been being made for at least 40+ years and they do generally follow the form of rather fine antique Indo-Persian swords.
They often seem to be advertised for sale with slightly out of focus pictures


Best
Gene

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Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi Richmond,

Your suspicions are correct. I'd call these decorative. They come in various slight varieties. Some seem to have very solid cast brass/bronze hilts, others somewhat thin metal hilts.
I've seen some with cast copper hilts which were originally 'silver' washed.
The quality seems to dip the later they get. I suspect that they've been being made for at least 40+ years and they do generally follow the form of rather fine antique Indo-Persian swords.
They often seem to be advertised for sale with slightly out of focus pictures


Best
Gene

Thanks Gene I whoilly concur !