Tipu Sultan and the Tiger Head Pommel

[kronckew]

i see this on a few similar sabre hilts, noteably the one on this illustration appears to have that feature.


and this one:




just a reasoned guess:

the 90 degree corner there is a weak point & in a casting especially would require a radiused section on the inside as re-enforcement. the decorative lines may be just that, or as this area is also used to attach the sword knots (used as a lanyard to keep you from accidentally dropping your sword while on horseback, which could prove embarrassing in a battle) it could serve as a restraining device to keep the knot in place. many hilts of course have a slot near the pommel for this (like the heavy cav. sabre in the photo).

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Olikara,
That is an excellent question!!! and in all honesty seems like the type of question that should be asked when studying the features in hilt forms, but in the years I have pursued this, nobody has ever noted it including me

On military swords, they typically follow a pattern which has a basic design and often with very subtle variations or features that seemed to have a degree of consistancy with individual makers who contracted to the govt.
The British M1796 light cavalry sabre for other ranks was one of the first truly 'regulation' patterns for them, and while these sabres were inclined to almost monotonous sameness, the officers had considerable latitude in ordering thier own custom swords.

The M1796 hilts were typically of forged iron, with other ranks being of course standard, and although officers sabres were as described, often custom made, they too were typically forged iron and followed the guidelines in so called 'stirrup hilt' with 'birds head' type pommel (meaning a smooth rounded pommel which smoothly carried down through the backstrap.
As Kronckew has noted, that 90 degree turn at the bottom of the knucklebow would most definitely be weakened, and though I am far from any expertise in metalwork or metallurgy, it seems a reinforcement would be the most likely explanation.

When casting brass hilts, I am not sure if there are similar dynamics as I believe the forged metal is worked, while the cast is not. In the case of the brass hilts, they were cast from a mold, which may have been from the original hilt form itself in this instance. The feature, though originally structural in the original, would carry through in the finished product .

I think Krockews very astute observation on these being positioning guides for a sword knot is also well placed, and again an idea I had not thought of. On the original M1796 sabres, there were usually slots on the knuckleguard for these knots, with the purpose he had described, however I have seen more decorative M1796 sabres with knots placed as he has noted.

All the best,
Jim

[Rick]

Here is that feature taken to the extreme as seen on a Parang Nabur .

[Jim McDougall]

Excellent example Rick!!!
This clearly illustrates the inflences of European edged weapons on the weapons of indiginous people, though I am unclear on exactly where the parang nabur is predominantly found. It seems most references assign these to Kalimantan (Borneo), but I presume other Malayan regions as well. One reference notes these originated probably from 'cutlasses' or sabres of Dutch naval forces. What period would likely be assigned to this example?

In any case, the exaggerated application of this feature decoratively seems most interesting as it is imitating what is believed a subtle structural feature in the original European sabres serving as examples.

This fascinating hybridization of weapons is one of the most intriguing areas in the study of ethnographic edged weapons, and often reflects the confluence of traditional native weapons with regulation military weapons. The hilt in discussion here appears as noted, a classic example!

All the best,
Jim

[Rick]

Hi Jim,
I can only guess that it may be late 19th - early 20th C.

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Rick,
Thanks again, and I agree with your assessment on that. These were indeed most attractive sabres, and I am wondering if they developed from a basic native form, or developed entirely from the influence of European sabres.

Getting back to the sabre hilt in discussion, since the swords in southern India seem to have favored the use of brass cast hilts, would this be a strong indicator that the hilt was fashioned there, using the distinct British hilt features? intended for a British officer?
Was there any sort of resistance or subversive movement after Tipu's defeat that may have tried to organize against the British occupation? Could this hilt have been fashioned intended for an individual in such a group or faction using the weapons at hand including the motif of Tipu's tiger?

Olikara, with your knowledge of the events of these times, do you think that idea plausible? If so, perhaps the hilt was made with intent for an organized movement, and the plans terminated possibly with counterinsurgence activity or something equivilent. That might explain the absence of the blade (does it appear a blade was originally present in this piece?).

All best regards,
Jim

[olikara]

Jim,

What you are suggesting could very well be true as far as an underground movement against against the British is concerned after the fall of Tipu. However this movement was limited to a flareup at Vellore, in another part of S. India, in 1803 where Tipu's immediate family was sent into exile. However, the British were very generous to the family and provided them with hefty pensions.

The Madras Sepoys stationed here mutinied and raised the Flag of Tipu Sultan at the fort, installing his son Fateh Haider as their leader. This mutiny was however crushed by elements of the British 19th Dragoons led by Gen. Rollo Gillespie. The 19th Dragoons had also seen action at Seringapatam in 1799.

However this being said, this revolt or movement pales into insignificance when we compare it with the events of 1857-The Great Mutiny.

That was about all the resistance that sympathizers to Tipu's rule could muster. The British had played their cards well handing out heavy pensions to all in Tipu's extended family and his circle of officers who had survived 1799. They had also restored to the throne the Hindu boy king whose ancestors 3 generations ago had ruled over Mysore. They also had made over large chunks of Mysore territory to the Marathas and the Nizam. Thus they gave no or limited scope to any Indian group to rebel.

I do not see any reason why the resistance should have designed hilts with a hybrid of Tipu and British features. In all probability they would have stuck to Tipu's alone unless of course, they saw that this hybrid variety was in some way technically superior to the traditional one. In any case, there are no written or contemporary records pertaining to any of the rebels of that time using Tipuesque weapons. Maybe they still carried weapons on them that they had used even during Tipu's time.

Rather, could the hilt be the influence of the French, who we know greatly admired the 1796 issue and I have read complained about the savage wounds it inflicted, and cast during Tipu's time itself.

As for the blade, I can see a faint discoloration that looks wedge shaped and seems like part of a blade on one side of the quillon. This portion is also slightly sticky to feel. I can also see something that is soft to touch and feels and looks like resin or gum in the hollow portion where the tang goes. I have marked it for you.

One of the langets is broken and maybe it broke off while someone was trying to pull out the blade from the hilt. It seems to me that someone tried to bend the blade along it's width thus taking it out, maybe as he wanted it to, and one of the langets along with it. What do you think?