Dao Sword of the Naga People, Assam

The Naga people of the Nagaland in Assam, North East India use several types of swords, including a long Dao sword with a single edge blade, similar to blades of Tibet and Bhutan the neighboring countries. These swords usually comes with an open or partially opened side scabbard, like in the Dao sword offered here.

This sword is most probably coming from the Angani Naga people. Long heavy blade  forged from laminated steel folded at the tip of the blade in the pattern known as “Hair pin folding” with high contrast pattern, a common forging technique seen on Tibetan and Bhutanese straight swords. Wood handle bound with braided rattan strips and a simple disk shaped steel cross guard. The wood scabbard is pierced opened along it length on one side and bound with braided rattan bands.

Blade 27 inches. Total 32 inches. Very good condition. Minor blackened spots on the blade.

Authentic, late 19 C. sword