Kora Sword from Nepal with Belt and Scabbard. A rare find of this quality. Kora swords were used in Nepal and North India for both fighting and sacrificial purposes. Heavy, down curving, blade, very sharp edge on the concave side and with wide heavy tip. This one has a heavy 20" blade and is hallmarked on the back-edge (see images). The blade is marked with the “Lucky” talisman sun mark towards the tip, both sides; the left side also bears an "X" mark. The hilt is of iron, in the classic kora style, but has a unique "serpent" knuckle-guard. Some gold inlay remains on the serpent recessed areas. This is unusual in that "koras" are never ornamented. "Whatever decoration is applied - to either weapon or sheath - is of high quality and in the Indian style, done so that it does not interfere with their use...at most, koras have gilded rims to the guard, pommel plates and lac filled lotus symbols on the blade," - source Arms and Armour - Traditional Weapons of India by E. Jaiwant Paul. They do not get much better than this. This Kora comes with its original broad-style leather bound scabbard (appears to be elephant hide). Scabbard side is split in the middle on the inner curve, but entirely intact. Silver leaf-patterned throat and drag (these are loose and the original retaining media has long hardened and released. It is very rare to find a Kora sword with its scabbard and this one has the belt as well! Soft buff suede measuring ~48" in length and ~2-1/2" wide.