Indian Tulwar grip and blade fragment

[prizzim]

Picked up in a junk shop in New Delhi last week, thought I'd share. It's getting low milage in The Outpost.


Tulwar grip and blade, about 12 inches overall as-is. Presumed bronze poured grip, traces of silver still on grip, steel blade (unknown composition). Indian's have slender hands, the grip fits about 3 fingers for me, instead of all four.











If I do a reproduction, I'm going to scale up the handle just a bit so it's a comfortable fit for me. From my research so far, the blade will have a gentle sweep to it, curving around maybe 15-20 degrees of arc starting at the 1/3 point from the hilt, extending perhaps 30-36 inches. Breadth from edge to back is about an inch and a half.

Research suggests it's anywhere from 16th to 19th century.

Anyone have a better original?

What do y'all think?

[J.Arthur Loose]

NIce.

There's something about holding an old sword, eh? Powerful to think of what the other end's done. Think you'll be able to do any metallurical study on the blade?

I know what you mean about small handles... but one thing I've noticed about the Viking hilts is that you can very comfortably manage the small size if you let the pommel swing onto your wrist. Maybe you could wrap a forefinger over the crossguard comfortably?

Thanks for posting it here!

[prizzim]

John, do you think that messing with the blade would reduce its "collector" value? I'm sorely tempted to remove a fingernail-size bit from the tip, to grind smooth, spark test, etch, and test for hardness. It's likely I'll never part with it (unless someone can make me an offer I can't refuse) but I'd hate to completely ruin the sale potential by messing with it that much. Then again, the value of what the steel has to tell me may just offset that.

Decisions, decisions. I'm in no hurry.

[J.Arthur Loose]

I wouldn't know about affecting the value. Since it's already damaged, I would guess that identifying the composition would increase potential value... but that's a very subjective opinion.

[TikTock]

If you "clean" or ruin that patina in any way, itll be of little value to anyone who wants it as an antique.....i think it'd be like refinishing an early american dresser...that ugly stain job is 75% of its value....

[J.Arthur Loose]

I had pictured knocking off a small piece & having it professionally analysed...

[Alan L]

In the shape it's in, I think a small analysis piece would not hurt the value. I know I'd like to know what it is!

[prizzim]

Where does one get a professional analysis of old blade steel in this condition? I had pictured taking a small bit, about the size of a dime, from the edge-side, and doing a simple spark-test, polish, and etch (maybe a rockwell if someone has the testing tools) to get a basic idea, but if you know anyone cheap who'll do a "professional" job analyzing the steel for me, that'd be cool too.

[J.Arthur Loose]

Hmmm... You could ask The Higgins Armory, or some such curatorial resource...

[prizzim]

I'll bring it to Harley's this week, if anyone there wants to see it.