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Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2010 11:56:21 GMT
Since we have a few forum members who are very knowledgeable about sword history and development I thought I would ask this question. A few months back a fellow forumite "thepepperskull" shared a link for an Indian shikh weapon smith, Nihang Singh www.nihangsingh.com/index.phpNow, it is on this website I discovered a sword type I had never heard of before, the NAGNI Does anyone know about how this style of blade was created and developed. My wife is in love with the type and I would like to know more about the history and use of this blade style. I figured putting the query in general discussion would get it a bit more notice than burying it in our sword history forum. Now given this is a Shikh weapon it's use would be determined by the martial art of Gatka, the martial art of the followers of the Shikh religion, which means the Nagni would very likely be used with a buckler similarly to a Talawar (tulwar, pulwar, however you prefer to spell it). The saber concept itself stems from the blades of the Turkmen/Huns and Mongols but I am curious as to what culture would have combined the saber with the "kris" style of blade that has it's roots in the Phillipines.
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Dom T.
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Post by Dom T. on Apr 26, 2010 0:31:40 GMT
It's really odd how no-one has chimed in on this. You'd think somebody would know more about these. Unfortunately, I'm not one of them. I have no clue about these swords at all. This thread's the first time I've seen 'em. Also, I really doubt that anyone's making production... nagni. Um, unfortunate for your wife? What I mean is that it'd probably be a huge hassle to get her one, right? It looks like on that website they only make them per-order or whatever it's called, and they're located in India. That's got to make it quite a-ways expensive, plus the shipping. Ew. I'm still not sure about the use of the scalloped edges on swords and daggers like those and on flambards and such, although I bet it would hurt a-freakin'-lot. Well, I guess getting stabbed is usually like that. What I find most interesting about those nagni-things is the hilt. I kinda like it, actually. Makes me think of the Renaissance or something, excluding the little 'alien antennae' sticking out of the pommel. Do you think those hilts are more of a modern invention? I mean, they could very well be traditional, but they don't look like they are imo. Kinda like those katana they remounted as European sabers, maybe. Er, at least, I think that was done. (Putting this in the General board was probably a good idea. I don't think the History section's very popular, at least, I don't go there too often ;D)
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 0:48:23 GMT
Dom, what I do know is the following: Naga means snake shaped and refers to the undulating blade, the hilts are the traditional hilts of the Indian Tulwar saber, and the pommel spikes are taken from another Indian blade called a Khanda It's taken me all day over at Sword Forum International to get that much. The design exists in some historical sources but the debate as to whether or not these actually saw use as battlefield weapons or were more ceremonial is still open. The original pics I posted are modern ones, most of the antiques I was just shown had plainer more shamshir like handles. I've used some undulating bladed knives in the past and they are more difficult to cut with than plain edged knives. I also saw a fairly Nasty looking piece with a non-curved undulating blade that had a serrated tip and spine. If anything I'll bet that sucker hurt to get hit with.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 3:24:28 GMT
I have seen so many diferent weopons from India and when I was there, it must have been a site to see during Battle!!!!
...........SanMarc.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 10:46:27 GMT
I'll agree with that. I saw some antique zulfiqar types with the Naga blades and bifurcated (split) tips which apparently relates to some symbolism from the Koran. They must have been truly frightening to behold, particularly as they would have been made of the legendary Wootz steel.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 10:49:38 GMT
This is an image of a 19th century zulfiqar type with undulations and serrations that is apparently from Northern India.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 11:16:10 GMT
A supposedly 18th century piece with undulations and bifurcated (split) tip
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 16:56:50 GMT
Liam, nice thread. Since I was up late watching Red Cliff I just saw it. I have a couple of books at home I can check. That's a nice khanda, ever see vids of those in action?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 17:21:03 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 26, 2010 19:20:53 GMT
Thanks for the link to that, Sam. That was a crazy cool knife. The wife wants one to use as a chefs knife.
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