My pleasure, Fernando. There are 2 main theories as to how the open ring, on the inside of the hilt for a right-handed swordsman, worked. 1: the reins could be pushed through the ring and gripped by the fingers of the right hand which is already holding the sword, to enable the soldier to fire a pistol with his left hand.
2: the thumb of the left hand could be inserted through the ring to hold the sword, while still holding the reins, to enable the soldier to fire a pistol with his right hand.
I have never tried either theory (or even ridden a horse) so cannot comment on the validity of either. Perhaps someone else can help out here.
Best regards, Neil
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