It should be borne in mind that the Khevsur are Georgians, albeit mountain dwellers. The familiar Khevsur sword mounted in strips of silver or brass (and later, even aluminium) is one type. However it is predated by the form of the sword Ariel didn't get. This was popular in Georgian urban centers and was adopted from the Persians-- I am sure Astvatsaturian shows examples in Weapons of the Caucasian Peoples...? Don't have a copy with me this time.
The grip is not replaced, it is a characteristic example actually. Other than the odious recovering, which seems to represent some government directive carried out on every piece to exit the former Soviet states since Gorbachev, it is of the correct form-- this includes the mounts which, though crude, are traditional.
Ham
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