Male and female hilts?
I have come across an interesting phenomenon in my collection. I have 3 sets of swords/sabres from different parts of Europe, that seem to have male and female animal decoration on the hilts. I have attached 2 (fuzzy) images. Apart from the hilts, the blades and scabbards are exactly the same.
Was this common practice? Does it signie in rank of the wearer?
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