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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 27, 2015 2:34:02 GMT
Just photographed some Indian swords, so thought I'd show them here. Two tulwars, one very light (640g, and with a fairly heavy hilt), and the other (top) is a typical mid/late 19th century tulwar (forget the weight, but probably about 800g). Also a khanda-hilted sabre, 1250g, total length about 43". Not balanced like a European cavalry sabre, but reminds me a lot of Chinese (Qing) cavalry dao. Old folded blade. Don't know the age. Perhaps 18th century?
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Post by randomnobody on May 27, 2015 12:42:31 GMT
Very nice, Timo. Love the khanda hilt, especially. Need to get one of those some day...
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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 27, 2015 21:25:15 GMT
Here are my two khanda-hilted swords, the one above and a classic firanghi. The firanghi is very long, my longest one-handed sword (assuming you call it one-handed since it has a sort-of hand-and-a-half hilt). 1170g, reasonable cut-and-thrust sword balance. 18th century, perhaps older. Blade might be 17th century, German. The sabre scabbard is new (as is the grip cover and basket lining). The pommel spike is a repair. The firanghi looks to be all original (and not polished like the sabre).
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Post by randomnobody on May 27, 2015 21:43:00 GMT
I'm thinking I'll have a firangi or khanda before a talwar, but first I want another khyber and maybe a flyssa... A pesh kabz at a favorite vendor is really pulling me in, too, but for $600+ I'm content to let it sit for a while longer. I wish the modern market had more of these swords available, in good quality.
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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 27, 2015 21:49:33 GMT
Tulwars are really cheap, though. Most of mine were under $100.
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Post by randomnobody on May 28, 2015 3:13:27 GMT
Definitely, though I find I'm really picky about them. Blade shape, size, curvature; hilt decoration, etc. plus the need to have a complete scabbard to store the thing in (children + animals - high shelves = needs protection) have all conspired to leave most inexpensive offerings as non-options. Plus, I think I'd rather have a pulwar or however the "Afghan" interpretation is spelled.
...and a tegha, kilij, or any number of other swords. One if those "lahori" tulwars I've recently seen listed at a couple sellers might just take me, though...
Either way, there needs to be more interest in these weapons. They deserve better than the niche they have.
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,675
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Post by Scott on May 28, 2015 7:28:49 GMT
Tulwars are really cheap, though. Most of mine were under $100. Where do you buy yours from?
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Post by Timo Nieminen on May 28, 2015 21:26:57 GMT
Mostly ebay. Might take some patience to get one below $100, but it can be done. Also check antique stores, arms/militaria fairs, sometimes even flea markets, etc. If you're prepared to go up to about $300, there are usually some on ebay, listed by various dealers, with no need to wait.
Plenty in the country, since we're former Empire. Only one (of 8) of mine was outside Australia when I bought it.
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Post by randomnobody on May 28, 2015 21:43:31 GMT
There are a number of vendors online that I frequent, Oriental Arms being the biggest, where one can find a pretty fair selection of these swords at reasonable prices. eBay is a gold mine for the rare times when one doesn't really understand what they have and doesn't list it correctly, but a more generic search (think "old sword" rather than "antique Indian tulwar) brings it up.
Competition on these can be pretty fierce, though.
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Scott
Member
Posts: 1,675
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Post by Scott on May 29, 2015 14:30:02 GMT
Thanks! I'll see what I can find...
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