As some friends expressed their interest in koras, I am opening a thread on these fascinating weapons.

The first example in an Indian kora witha typical Indian tulwar hilt.

Courtesy of Ashoka Arts

"A good quality old Indian weapon similar to the Nepalese kora. Steel hilt retaining very attractive silver damascened decoration in excellent condition, heavy steel blade with thickened 't-section' spine with forward leaning broadening tip which is missing a corner, otherwise excellent condition. North India, 19th century."

---

 Attachment: 82.51 KB
[ Download ]

 Attachment: 88.82 KB
[ Download ]

 Attachment: 117.74 KB
[ Download ]

 Attachment: 78.62 KB
[ Download ]

 Attachment: 109.06 KB
[ Download ]

That is an excellent looking sword. What can you tell us about this unique weapon, Manouchehr?

Jonathan

Thank you Manouchehr, very prompt.
The Kora must be a devastating Hacking and slashing weapon: I'm curious about where the cutting edges are located on this type of Sword: is the almost ax-like portion at the top of the Blade commonly sharpened on the Kora? It seems as though it would be just about as effective either way but I've never been able to discern if there is a sharpened edge on the top portion in the few examples that I've seen. Also, are there any examples of Double-edged versions? It would seem that a double-edged blade or a cutting edge starting a few inches from the point where it curves forward would be highly effective.

Here is a Topic for reference about European Medieval choppers:

http://www.myArmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.php?t...ht=chopper

As one can see their is some resemblance to the Kora in the way the wide tip of the weapon is scalloped in a series of arcs.

With these I always have wondered if the scalloping is functional or purely an aesthetic feature ?

A big difference with the Kora is the pronounced curve at the end but if one made a straiter version it would look very similar to the European choppers. :eek:

Just wondering if this is due to the two being related in some way in a similar way that the Kukri is thought to maybe be related to the Falcata ? Or just coincidence ?

The cutting edge is on the straight side while the scalloped side is commonly blunt,one of the reproductions from that thread appears to be double-edged though. I've always found it funny how hard it can be to tell where the cutting edges are on a piece from looking at most photographs. Something I'll have to keep in mind if I ever want to photograph a blade with unique proportions.

Thank you very much Jean.

KInd regards

Manouchehr

Dear friends,

The next is a Nepalese kora. Look at the shape of the handle, typical of that region and also the blade profile.

Courtesy of Oriental Arms

"Kora swords were used in Nepal and North India for both fighting and sacrificial processes. They are quite similar, only the sacrificial sword is wider and heavier. This one is basically a fighter of very good quality. Heavy, down curving, blade, with its deadly sharp edge on the concave side and with wide heavy tip. This one has a 20 inches blade, 4 inches at the tip. The tip is marked with the Eye talisman marking, painted red. Ckassical handle with disk shaped pommel and cross guard. Original leather cover on the grip ( quite scarce). Total length 26 inches. Very good condition."

---

 Attachment: 17.76 KB



 Attachment: 17.72 KB



 Attachment: 23.5 KB



 Attachment: 22.71 KB