Firangi
Firangi
Mahratta - Rajput- Mughal
Maratha Empire- Rajput Dynasties - Mughal Empire - East India Company - British Raj (India)
Blade: 19th century
Hilt: 18th - Early 19th century
Steel, iron, gold, silver, fabric, leather
Blade: 104,1cm
Hilt & Blade: 125,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2020
Collection Number: 131
Ex. Oslo, Norway Private Collection (2020)
Ex. Herman Historica: Grasbrunn, Germany (2012)
The firangi sword of the Indian subcontinent incorporates a basket style hilt, its name deriving from the Arabic term (Al-Faranji) for Western European (Frank), which uses a characteristically long blade of the European type. Historically used by the Maratha Empire along with Rajputs, Mughals, and Sikhs. Due to its long length, the sword was regarded primarily as a cavalry weapon.
This fine example having a steel backsword type blade, which is single- edged. The thick spine at the base thins throughout the blade, making it very flexible for the last half to the tip. Three deep fullers span nearly the entire length of the blade. The blade could be European (Italian?) in origin, most likely dating to the 19th century and paired to the older hilt.
The iron basket hilt is extensively decorated in silver and gold koftgari work of floral pedals and meandering flowering vines. Iron langlet in lotus form pinned to the blade. Iron handguard with remnants of untranslated gold Sanskrit writing. Cupped disc- shaped pommel with a long central prong. Missing the finial bulb. The original red fabric interior is still retained, as well as the leather bound hand grip.
A fine example of the firangi sword having an older, possibly European, thick, long, flexible blade. Ornately decorated in both silver and gold koftgari with some loss. A truly amazing sword.
[2] W. O. Oldman. “Illustrated Catalogue of Ethnographic Specimens”. January 1905: List No. 22; Item #13 (5565)
[3] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=2737
[4] http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=4734