A very good Sri Lankan Kastane with an unusually high quality blade akin to a Japanese sword, complete with a carved Rhino horn hilt.
This sabre measures 68cms long overall and carries a 53cms long blade.
The blade has a long thick block forte and then tapers through to the tip. The forte is enveloped on the edges by two Makara heads and a central langet to each side.
The forte is inlayed with decorative panels of a gold alloy. One side shows a bird like creature and the reverse a unidentified symbol.
The langets are thick chiseled steel that retain most of their thick silver overlay.
The Makara quillons display, brass, copper and silver inlay and overlay and are exceptionally well detailed.
The ornate quillon block and knuckle bow also display the same semi precious metals and detail throughout.
The blade thick, heavy and very akin to a Japanese katana with beveled faces tapering to the spine and cutting edge.
The Lion pommel and hilt is carved from Rhino horn, likely the Asiatic type. The very fine straight hairs are very clear and this type of horn has enabled a very detailed design to be cut in to the horn. Small decorative panels of copper and silver are still present in the hilt.
A very good heavy fighting weight sabre of exceptional quality and little wear considering it is an 18th century sword.
A sword that would grade up very well with some TLC.
