Is this rhino horn on Shamshir handle

Kmaddock · 19th November 2016, 05:14 PM

Hi
I just purchased the 3 swords below
I wanted the Pulwar and the 2 Shamshir came in a job lot with the Pulwar
I bought at an auction using auctioneers photos so it was only the Pulwar I was really looking at and brushed over the shamshirs
I have no idea what rhino horn looks like but on examination it looks like it might be horn or antler, the fibrous look where the handle on one is cracked made me think perhaps rhino?
I had intending having a look for a cross guard to complete one of the swords but if they are rhino horn I would be more hesitant on messing around with the swords.
I am presently removing the active rust off the Pulwar and I use diesel and oooo wire wool but if the handle is rhino horn on the shamshirs then I would have to amend my technique to preserve the horn
Any help or advice much appreciated

Regards
Ken

T. Koch · 19th November 2016, 05:47 PM

Hi Ken,

Judging from the pictures, the material is IMO most likely rhinoceros horn.

Cheers, - Thor

Rick · 19th November 2016, 06:09 PM

I'll second Thor's opinion.

Battara · 19th November 2016, 08:19 PM

Yeah looks like it to me..

francantolin · 19th November 2016, 08:34 PM

Yes, I think too rhino horn,

You'll have to dismantle the rhino hilt grips !

Kmaddock · 19th November 2016, 09:26 PM

Thanks guys for the information and confirmation
I assume this elevates these swords into something more than the junk pile I wa going to commit them to
And this would probably mean the blades are of reasonable quality if they have rhino
I will stick with the Pulwar clean up and once that is finished I will start to study the Shamshir blades.
I am competent enough at repairs so I might have a go at getting one of these swords back into order but I like to stick to one job at a time and as I said the Pulwar was the item I actually wanted
Best regards
Ken

ariel · 23rd November 2016, 10:44 AM

Handle material and blade quality do not go hand in hand.
Seems to me that both shamshirs have pretty standard European mid/end 19 century blades. I guess that rhino handles are the only interesting spare parts.
If you decide to part with the intact pair, be good and let me know: I need to repair an old pala.

19th November 2016, 05:14 PM	#1
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 532	Is this rhino horn on Shamshir handle Hi I just purchased the 3 swords below I wanted the Pulwar and the 2 Shamshir came in a job lot with the Pulwar I bought at an auction using auctioneers photos so it was only the Pulwar I was really looking at and brushed over the shamshirs I have no idea what rhino horn looks like but on examination it looks like it might be horn or antler, the fibrous look where the handle on one is cracked made me think perhaps rhino? I had intending having a look for a cross guard to complete one of the swords but if they are rhino horn I would be more hesitant on messing around with the swords. I am presently removing the active rust off the Pulwar and I use diesel and oooo wire wool but if the handle is rhino horn on the shamshirs then I would have to amend my technique to preserve the horn Any help or advice much appreciated Regards Ken Attached Images

19th November 2016, 05:47 PM	#2
T. Koch Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Mother North Posts: 189	Hi Ken, Judging from the pictures, the material is IMO most likely rhinoceros horn. Cheers, - Thor

19th November 2016, 06:09 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	I'll second Thor's opinion.

19th November 2016, 08:19 PM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	Yeah looks like it to me..

19th November 2016, 08:34 PM	#5
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 813	Yes, I think too rhino horn, You'll have to dismantle the rhino hilt grips !

19th November 2016, 09:26 PM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 532	Thanks guys for the information and confirmation I assume this elevates these swords into something more than the junk pile I wa going to commit them to And this would probably mean the blades are of reasonable quality if they have rhino I will stick with the Pulwar clean up and once that is finished I will start to study the Shamshir blades. I am competent enough at repairs so I might have a go at getting one of these swords back into order but I like to stick to one job at a time and as I said the Pulwar was the item I actually wanted Best regards Ken

23rd November 2016, 10:44 AM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Handle material and blade quality do not go hand in hand. Seems to me that both shamshirs have pretty standard European mid/end 19 century blades. I guess that rhino handles are the only interesting spare parts. If you decide to part with the intact pair, be good and let me know: I need to repair an old pala.