antique late 19thc to early 20thc anglo indian kard - bowie knife asian dagger india sword

An large and exceptionally high quality Indian made Kard type Bowie Knife - dagger dating from the end of the 19thc colonial period to early 20thc, likely a commissioned piece for someone of status.

The blade is a exceptional, double edged and although not showing any visible wootz pattern weld I would not be surprised if the blade were to be etched correctly with the right chemicals that it would likely show a fine grained crystalline wootz pattern within, however I am not one to mess with chemicals so I have not etched it myself, that will be a job for the next owner but I am quite sure that if not wootz then this blade will be a fine damascus laminate type after etch.The blade is thick at the forte at 6.5 mm, it thins towards its tip to 2.2mm thick along the central ridge of the double edged blade.
The blade is very sharp on both bottom and top cutting edges with no edge damage, there are a few black spots of minor pitting due to age and the typical shadow of a water quench mark is visible on both cutting edges of this blade.The hilt grip is made from bone or perhaps polished antler of some type and all mounts are very thick and heavy real 925 sterling grade silver.At the forte of the blade there is a silver inlay scrolling design on both sides which looks typically Indian in style, the thick solid silver guard has a hammered finish on the side facing the blade and on the hilt side it is polished flat and on top and bottom sides of the hilt there is an inlaid silver strip.The tang is a through tang type that has been peened over an iron washer in sun ray form, the leather sheath is also the original and shows its age but is still fully working. see pics.The knife may well have been made for an Indian officer in the Indian military or the British or could be a commission made knife for a British gent ??, sadly I know no more about it than the above, but it is certainly a very very well made knife or exceptional quality and one for the collector of antique ethnographic Asian edged weapons. Feel free to offer on this outstanding knife, all offers are welcome providing they are not low ball offers.We are happy to post worldwide.

Antiques.co.uk Ref: YYUYA2DU3

Maker/Artist:

Indian maker late 19thc - early 20thc.

Materials:

925 grade silver bone - antler and laminated or wootz steel.

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Golden Kingdoms

Golden Kingdoms are collectors and dealers of Asian and Islamic antiques, we specialize in Asian, South east Asian, Chinese, Indian, Persian & other regional Asian and Islamic colonial period antiques and ethnographic edged weapons jewellery Buddhist and tribal regional art etc. If you do not see anything you like in our list of for sale items contact us and ask as we maybe able to accommodate you, we have hundreds of Asian antiques in stock that are for sale so may have just what you are looking for.

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