Firangi Sword

Gavin Nugent · 3rd February 2013, 06:14 AM

These resemble the more common Tulwar pommels and finials seen on South Indian daggers and Tanjore katar.

I personally would suggest they remain as part of a fastening system for the inner padding now missing as these Khanda hilts typically have half a dozen holes where fabric ties or ties such as these would have been.

I might add the small backing plates that these lobes sit on are akin to decoration seen on Khanjarli and other Indian weapons, or at least those I have bought, sold or traded.

My 2 cents.

Gavin

Lew · 3rd February 2013, 06:54 AM

I tend to agree with Gavin these swords always had some type of padded guard to protect the users hand as seen on many Scotish basket cup swords. I have seen these perforations in the same area of the hilt. The long back spike was used as a two handed grip when wielding the sword in battle. Here is an example of a Khanda hilt from my collection for comparison notice the small holes on both sides of the D-guard where the padding would have been attached.

Jim McDougall · 3rd February 2013, 04:17 PM

I think Gav is right, and I had forgotten about the padding inside the hilts of these.

3rd February 2013, 06:54 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I tend to agree with Gavin these swords always had some type of padded guard to protect the users hand as seen on many Scotish basket cup swords. I have seen these perforations in the same area of the hilt. The long back spike was used as a two handed grip when wielding the sword in battle. Here is an example of a Khanda hilt from my collection for comparison notice the small holes on both sides of the D-guard where the padding would have been attached. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 3rd February 2013 at 07:34 AM.

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3rd February 2013, 06:14 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	These resemble the more common Tulwar pommels and finials seen on South Indian daggers and Tanjore katar. I personally would suggest they remain as part of a fastening system for the inner padding now missing as these Khanda hilts typically have half a dozen holes where fabric ties or ties such as these would have been. I might add the small backing plates that these lobes sit on are akin to decoration seen on Khanjarli and other Indian weapons, or at least those I have bought, sold or traded. My 2 cents. Gavin

3rd February 2013, 04:17 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	I think Gav is right, and I had forgotten about the padding inside the hilts of these.