19th C. Indian Steel Bagh Nakh

Central Asia, India, ca. 19th century CE. A wonderful example of a steel punching and clawing weapon known as a bagh nakh (or vagh nakhya, literally "tiger claws" in Hindi) with a rectangular grip bar surmounted with a pair of finger rings. From the front of the grip bar projects five crescent-shaped claws with extremely sharp tips. Bagh nakh were used primarily by Indian assassins to simulate the target being mauled by a tiger's claws. Size (grip bar): 5.5" W (14 cm); (each claw): 2.25" L (5.7 cm).

For a stylistically similar example, please see The Victoria and Albert Museum, museum number 3196(IS).

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired around 2004; ex-Fagan Arms, Clinton Township, Michigan, USA

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#151189 Dimensions: Condition Report: Intact and very good with slight bending to some claws. Nice patina throughout.