Dagger: O.141-1879

Maker(s)

Maker: Unknown

Entities

• Dagger
• Indian weapons
• bichwa

Categories

• Weapons

Description

Originally with two blades, one missing. The remaining steel blade is wavy with four curves, with a reinforced point and medial ridge towards the point, and of flattened octagonal section towards the hilt. The steel hilt is formed of a loop, formed as a U-shaped langet at either end originally joined to each blade with two rivets, with a narrow grip curved for the hand, and a broad guard round the outside with scalloped outer edges bordered by single incised lines and a series of punched dots, and a double incised line down the centre. At the rear is a riveted decorative finial. The whole polished bright with pitting from its earlier corrosion on the hilt.

Legal notes

Given by Robert Taylor, MA

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (1879) by Taylor, Robert, MA

Dating

18th Century
Circa 1700 - 1800

Note

Compare O.164-1879; probably both are from Benares, though Taylor specifies only O.150–1 from Benares in the 131–15 group. This must be wrong, unless the numbers have been muddled, as these two are characteristically south Indian types.