Old Sword From India ?

[kootenay joe]

Here is an ebay listing for a "RLK-LRK-Sword Talwar-India" for the ridiculous price of $790,000 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/112556161282?h ... SwM6NZsfYO
Can anyone give any information about this sword and it's actual value ?
kj

[1967redrider]

It was owned by Sultan Dahwalli who used it to cut the heads off of 399 mercenaries hired by Genghis Khan to overthrow his regime in 1593. After that, pilgrims carted it to The City of Gold where it was displayed over the threshold of the most powerful ruler the world has ever know. Recently it was found plastered inside the wall of a Monk's quarters outside of the city where Vlad the Impaler grew up as a child.

Am I close???


*Edit- I forgot to mention I have the pocket knife that accompanied this sword. Selling it discounted right now at $10,000! But I might put the price back up . . .

[kootenay joe]

I'm sure the seller will confirm the history you give but i would like to know what it actually is, like age ? military ? common ?
It might have some value or it could be worth very little. I would like to know.
kj

[Sweetpieces4you]

Personally I wouldn’t pay any attention to nonsense. Provenance, Provenance and then even more Provenance !!! I would have that piece x-rayed, metal tested, sample tested and taken apart. I see nothing in that listing but words. And words are just words, and they are meaningless.

[New_Windsor_NY]

It is the same sword that was discussed back in January.
viewtopic.php?f=35&t=69670

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Skip. There is one 'serious' post in that link and the poster says he has a similar sword, that they are common, and not worth much.
I am still interested to know how old it might be, but really i can get by without knowing.
kj

[1967redrider]

PM Paul (zed6309) about his sword.

[Old Folder]

In 1996, "Frederick Wilkinson" wrote a very interesting article within the Barnes & Noble book "Swords and Hilt Weapons"
On his chapter of: "India and Southeast Asia Swords," Mr. Wilkinson stated:

"The nomenclature on Indian weapons is always a headache. Few authorities, ancient or modern, seem to be able to agree upon the correct designation for many edged weapons. What is more, similar weapons are known by different names in different parts of India. Most are of very little value and contain many fantasy heroic stories."

Perhaps "Bernard Levine" would call this sword a "Indian Goose Stepper?"
The seller has performed 32 'revisions' for this sword starting from Sep 07, 2017.
I spent a few minutes on Google and only observed one "Indian Sword" (out of many) that had a similar Hilt, hand guard like his. It sold for $17.00 earlier this year on a Etsy Auction.

Perhaps the seller could combine his sword with some beautiful Indiana beach front property.

Dan

[kootenay joe]

Thanks Dan. So basically this sword is worth next to nothing. It is not even a $100 item.
I know nothing about swords but became interested when a neighbour friend in his late 60's sold a sword on ebay for a few thousand dollars. He had bought it in an army surplus store for a few dollars when he was 10. He and his friends used it playing in the bush, charging around stabbing imaginary 'enemies'. Turns out it is a rare Spanish Military weapon and quite collectible.
I will ask Paul about his sword from the post linked to above.
kj

[herbva]

It was owned by Sultan Dahwalli who used it to cut the heads off of 399 mercenaries hired by Genghis Khan to overthrow his regime in 1593. After that, pilgrims carted it to The City of Gold where it was displayed over the threshold of the most powerful ruler the world has ever know. Recently it was found plastered inside the wall of a Monk's quarters outside of the city where Vlad the Impaler grew up as a child.

Am I close???


*Edit- I forgot to mention I have the pocket knife that accompanied this sword. Selling cheap at $10,000! But I might put the price back up . . .

John, I'm somewhat skeptical about the "old sword from India" and Vlad the Impaler, but I do want to get a look at that rusty beauty in your picture!

[1967redrider]

In 1996, "Frederick Wilkinson" wrote a very interesting article within the Barnes & Noble book "Swords and Hilt Weapons"
On his chapter of: "India and Southeast Asia Swords," Mr. Wilkinson stated:

"The nomenclature on Indian weapons is always a headache. Few authorities, ancient or modern, seem to be able to agree upon the correct designation for many edged weapons. What is more, similar weapons are known by different names in different parts of India. Most are of very little value and contain many fantasy heroic stories."

Perhaps "Bernard Levine" would call this sword a "Indian Goose Stepper?"
The seller has performed 32 'revisions' for this sword starting from Sep 07, 2017.
I spent a few minutes on Google and only observed one "Indian Sword" (out of many) that had a similar Hilt, hand guard like his. It sold for $17.00 earlier this year on a Etsy Auction.

Perhaps the seller could combine his sword with some beautiful Indiana beach front property.

Dan

[GSPTOPDOG]

Here is an ebay listing for a "RLK-LRK-Sword Talwar-India" for the ridiculous price of $790,000 : https://www.ebay.com/itm/112556161282?h ... SwM6NZsfYO
Can anyone give any information about this sword and it's actual value ?
kj

OK, this guy is a "nut-job' to use a professional phycologist's term. I collect and trade around a lot of swords of all kinds and this looks just like a "El Cheapo" (to use the Hindi phrase) Junker from the Punjab. Sold to tourist as a cheap souvenir. SUCKER!!! Looks like a $20 to $35 sword to me. I have a couple out in my garage ... somewhere I have and have had a few real swords... Cutlasses, Katanas, gladius, etc.. I am no expert, but I can smell junk when I see it... whatever that means...
and I smell a big 'Ol heaping pile "Up in here" ...

From the listing description;

Update 3: After more investigation I am more confident this is THE sword that united the three tribes and not a copy. I'm avoiding detailed description because I only want to sell to someone who already knows what it is and wants it for the right reasons. I might accept an offer of money (500k) plus some services or trade. If anyone has more info on the history of this sword, let me know.

Update 2: I've had two people try to steal this (including an executive at a popular auction company) and at least one try to kill me since I opened this ad. I'm having lots of fun. I'm thinking about raising the price back up.

Update 1: Temporary price reduction. Buy now!

About the sword:

Condition: It looks like its been through three generations of war. Use gloves. Leather grip may be blood stained.

Do you own a sword that has actually been used in battle? Repeatedly? One that someone trusted enough to put their life on the line with it? And hand it down to their son?

This isn't some fancy-boy decoration. This sword has seen lots of use. It is not stainless, which is just for knives and wall hangers. Like stainless, high carbon steel is too brittle and tends to snap too easily to be making swords from it. It looks like spring steel, which is popular for swords over there.

The tip has been cut off and ground down to shorten the sword, the way a lot of Indian soldiers like. This makes it easier to pull back and put into someone even when they get right up on you. Notice that the tip was cut to a sharp angle for better thrusting. This wasn't just used for cracking coconuts.

The scabbard appears to have originally been painted orange but someone has covered it in black cloth and most of the paint appears to either have been removed or flaked off. The metal back-strap going down the back of the handle allowed the use of leather for better grip while cutting down on the need to replace the leather with heavy use.

They still have sword fights and battles in India. Not just the soldiers but tribes too. In fact when I went there I was forced to take a couple blades away from guys that were a little too hot headed. This sword wasn't one of them and thank god because from the looks of it that guy knew what he was doing and would have run me through.

About the etching: In the US it is common to see etching on junk swords. I'm told its the opposite in India. The cheaper (but not junk) swords have no markings at all while higher quality swords have some sort of decoration. Indian culture is fond of decoration. You should see their temples.
Total length with scabbard 25"

Blade length 20 1/4

Buy it quick before one of your rivals beat you to it and shows you how they got what you wanted!

Nearly all of the proceeds from this sale will be used for private charitable activities. If you like I'll see about getting you a tax credit after the sale.