tiny tangs on antique talwars
Jul 1, 2023 15:39:26 GMT
Post by yelman on Jul 1, 2023 15:39:26 GMT
Tangs.
Much discussed, much debated, but none can argue they are a critical element in sword architecture.
Interesting to note that antique talwar tangs are not full, or even half, but barely quarter tangs.
The reason why they are still effective at that length is the Indian method of attaching them to the hilt, which are made of iron and completely hollow even up (or down) to the quillons.
A mixture of resin from the peepal tree, or ‘sacred fig’ (which is indigenous to the India subcontinent) is heated to a temperature rendering it fluid enough to pour into the inverted hollow hilt. Apparently other substances are included in this mixture also, but like wootz, the exact ‘recipe’ seems to be lost. The blade is inserted into the resin filled hilt and when the mixture cools, it sets into an epoxy-like structure. The shape of the hilt with its bulbous handle ensures a solid grip, not unlike setting a fence post underground with concrete.
The example in the photo came to me with a slight wobble, which was unusual, as 9 out of ten antique talwars are still solid after 100+ years. I drilled out (yes, you have to use a power drill) on each side of the tang shoulder just enough to pull the blade out. The tang itself incidentally, is 1 and a quarter inch long, which is standard for 18-19C swords. The ‘fix’ was easy enough- simply refill the hilt with epoxy and re-insert the blade: good as new, or rather, old.
This system of attachment, however, appears to have been abandoned by the 1900s in favor of threaded tangs in brass (or steel) hilts, undoubtedly, because all told, it was easier and cheaper to do.
Much discussed, much debated, but none can argue they are a critical element in sword architecture.
Interesting to note that antique talwar tangs are not full, or even half, but barely quarter tangs.
The reason why they are still effective at that length is the Indian method of attaching them to the hilt, which are made of iron and completely hollow even up (or down) to the quillons.
A mixture of resin from the peepal tree, or ‘sacred fig’ (which is indigenous to the India subcontinent) is heated to a temperature rendering it fluid enough to pour into the inverted hollow hilt. Apparently other substances are included in this mixture also, but like wootz, the exact ‘recipe’ seems to be lost. The blade is inserted into the resin filled hilt and when the mixture cools, it sets into an epoxy-like structure. The shape of the hilt with its bulbous handle ensures a solid grip, not unlike setting a fence post underground with concrete.
The example in the photo came to me with a slight wobble, which was unusual, as 9 out of ten antique talwars are still solid after 100+ years. I drilled out (yes, you have to use a power drill) on each side of the tang shoulder just enough to pull the blade out. The tang itself incidentally, is 1 and a quarter inch long, which is standard for 18-19C swords. The ‘fix’ was easy enough- simply refill the hilt with epoxy and re-insert the blade: good as new, or rather, old.
This system of attachment, however, appears to have been abandoned by the 1900s in favor of threaded tangs in brass (or steel) hilts, undoubtedly, because all told, it was easier and cheaper to do.