KORA! KORA! KORA!

Rusty

Rusty

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http://members.aol.com/himimp/swords.html

Alright, the beast weighs some six pounds, has a 20" blade, and a 7" handle thicker than a D cell Maglite in between the painfully sharp guard and pommel discs. If I had hands any bigger than they are, I'd be limited to a single hand grip. The slick plain brass covered handle is too scary to me. I finally took green leather lacing and wrapped the grip, tightenend the wrapping a couple days in a row, and then tucked the ends in. Quite a contraption. Apparently it's main use was on battle ramparts chopping downat the enemy on ladders trying to climb up. Now that I can get a secure hold on it, it's fun to swing around. Clamshell oaken scabbard needs work on hinges and hooks, and maybe a thin leather covering. But what the bleep. My blems and villagers aren't growing but the museum quality half dozen I have are growing.
 
I don't know Rusty, I think that the 30" Sirupati that is on it's way to me is gonna be a lot of fun. Have you tried to chop anything with your new toy yet? How long is it? How wide is it? Come on, you can't just tease us, give us the dish!
 
Rusty,
I would like to show the photos of my two old koras to the forum so they could see them
side by side with yours.
The scabbard looks great from HI. There were two types made and the only ones I have seen including my own were leather covered with a fancy carrying sling.
The grips were plain metal, wrapped with wire, wrapped with leather strips or the metal had a chiselled or embossed design on it. Both of my koras are sharper than all get out.
I do have more historical info and will post it once a kind forumite explains how to post photos here.



------------------
JP
 
The wooden scabbard in the link is not the one that's now mine, different wood grain. otherwise I couldn't tell the difference between the kora and scabbard on the HI website and mine. There are two narrow little brass handmade hinges that are quite loose. I can replace them with a 5" long brass hinge.
Please find out how to post those pictures John. Scanners and printers only run about a hundred each - But Monday I got a new Compaq and a 19" monitor.

Mohd - you are right.
 
I'd like to add that one of Mr.Powell's pieces sport's a twisted spiralling metal grip with matching work on the guard and pommel.
 
I've got some pix to post (still no workable scanner). How do I send them to this forum?

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JP
 
gg.jpg


Click on the edit button (The one with the picture of the pencil and paper) on my post to see how it's done.

[This message has been edited by Howard Wallace (edited 03-17-2000).]
 
Hi Rusty,

You said, "Apparently it's main use was on battle ramparts chopping down at the enemy on ladders trying to climb up."

That's interesting; could you point me to the source where you learned that? I had always assumed that they were infantry weapons, but upon reflection your explanation seems better suited to the Kora's shape.

My interest is piqued because I have an antique Kora coming soon and I'd like to know more about the weapon in general.

Hopefully, the following will provide a picture:
bq163-1.JPG


bq163-3.JPG


Not as nice as Howard's, but I still like it for the blade sculpting. Maybe somebody could tell me how best to clean it?

Note how Howard's and the HI model, like most koras, have a disc pommel and guard, while mine has a Persian style hilt. Maybe my hilt is a replacement, or maybe it was purely ceremonial.

[This message has been edited by ruel (edited 03-17-2000).]
 
I wouldn't clean that ... it doesn't look like there's any active (red) rust on it, just patina ... leave that alone!
smile.gif
I imagine Bernard Levine could give some tips on care and he has a new forum here ... I think he'll tell you the same thing I did, though.

-Cougar :{)
 
Thanks for posting that picture Howard. There is another kora to show with the more standard scabbard.
Ruel, I agree with Cougar: do not remove any of the patina. Just wipe the blade with a rough cloth, then with a soft cloth every once in a while.
I have never seen this "Persian" handle before. Once you get it, please send along more information.
As to the kora's usage, it is my understanding that this was a common sword along with the tarwar and khanda carried throughout not only Nepal but northern and central India.

------------------
JP
 
The Kora pictured in my previous post is from John Powell's collection. I should have mentioned that.
 
I got "my" version of how the kora was used from a white monkey called Uncle.
 
Thanks everyone for the cleaning (or rather, not-cleaning) advice! I will leave it as it is; in a way, the brass inlays actually show up better amidst the rust, as there is more color contrast.

John, here's a picture of the handle up close. These Persian hilts became popular in India during Mughal times (since the Mughals were of Persian descent), which suggests that this Kora may be north Indian rather than Nepalese.
bq163-4.JPG


For comparison, here's a Khanjar I'm getting together with the Kora which has the same style hilt. Notice how this characteristically Islamic weapon is engraved with the image of the Hindu god Krishna.
ik7-1.JPG


[This message has been edited by ruel (edited 03-19-2000).]
 
What a nice set that will make Ruel.
The kora can be from India, Nepal or Tibet with the differences being subtle but definitive.
Your's has the Nepalese identifier of the 'eye' or 'flower' on the blade but most assuredly an Indian (Moghul) grip. Just another mysterious hybrid in the world of Asian weapons.


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JP
 
You know, I don't think they were made as a set, but they do look pretty similar in regard to the style and quality of decoration. I wouldn't be surprised if they were made in the same shop...
 
I just meant they will be a nice set once you have them together. They were definitely made by different artisans although the handle shape is common.

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JP
 
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