Fine Jeweled Pichangatti Coorg Knife

The Pichangatti knife is the traditional knife of the Kodava people resides in what is today Karnataka state in South West India. The word means hand knife. The British named the region “Coorgi”, a corruption of “Kannada” the local word that means “hilly”, the geographical condition of the region. It so happens that the Kodava people are named Coorg and the Pichangatti knife is better known as Coorg knife.

The Pichangatti knife has a short, heavy single edge blade, grip with down curving pommel, silver mounted scabbard and in many cases a silver chain is attached to the scabbard. The Pichangatti is worn below a wide waist belt and the silver chain is folded over the belt. See below.

The Pichangeti is one of the rarest knives of the Indian arsenal. Its rarity is a result of a punishment inflicted by the British administration on the Kodava people in 1884, when a huge number of weapons, including knives, swords and firearms were confiscated and dumped in the sea.

The fine exemplar shown here has a silver handle with the pommel set with red and green gem stones, partially gilded mounts of the scabbard and a long gilded silver chain and finials. The Chape is marked A.S.C

Blade 7 inches, total 12 inches, very good condition.

See also: Robert Elgood “Fireatms of the Islamic World” P/ 184-185