Hi Michele,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

This is an Indo-Persian sword, possibly a Talwar (a traditional Indian curved sword). The hilt (handle) is brass, decorated with engraved motifs, and the pommel seems to show an elephant head, which is a common South Asian design element symbolizing strength and good fortune. The scabbard is wooden with a decorated brass throat (the upper metal fitting), featuring engraved hunting scenes or animal motifs — elephants, tigers, and floral vines are often used.

Given the ornate decoration, this is likely not a battlefield weapon but rather a ceremonial or decorative sword, made for display or as a souvenir (True battle-ready swords would typically have a full-steel hilt and stronger, heavier scabbards.) Older ceremonial talwars (19th century and earlier) usually show more refined hand-chiseling, silver or gold inlay (koftgari), and higher-quality steel blades. The finishing on the blade is a little hard to make out but it looks to be of high quality and older than 20th Century; I'm fairly confident that this is 19th Century, from Rajasthan or other areas of Northern India.

Similar examples comparable in age and size have sold at auction for between $500 and $700 recently.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique Indo-Persian chased and engraved brass and iron short talwar
probably 19th Century
With cast brass figural pommel (handle) and chased hilt, the scabbard with chased brass locket with a relief-modeled elephant, tiger and vines, the slightly curved blade engraved indistinctly.
25 inches overall length; 26 overall length in scabbard
CONDITION: This appears to be in good condition with minor wear commensurate to age and use.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 500-700*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia