Gile with pattern on fuller
 

I picked this gile up recently, nothing too interesting about it. The decorations are similar in style to the gile posted here except mine are made of base metal and obviously of much poorer quality.

The only unusual thing about it is the pattern on the fuller. It looks acid etched, perhaps. I haven't seen any other giles like this.

I cleaned the blade up and now it's evident the tip of the fuller is a snake's head. I guess that explains that!

THE ADDING OF DESIGNS MAY BE A WAY THE OWNER PERSONALIZES HIS WEAPON OR PERHAPS THE DESIGN SIGNIFIES HIS FAMILY OR TRIBE OR STATUS. OR IT MAY JUST BE ART. :D IT MIGHT BE POSSIBLE IN SOME CASES TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF SNAKE BY THE PATTERN IF IT IS AN ACCURATE COPY OF THE REAL PATTERN. PYTHON OR FOR A POISONOUS ONE PERHAPS A GABOON VIPER OR SOME OTHER. :shrug: