Gentlemen:
Thank you for your input and consideration. It is most enlightening.
I love the pictures that you provided for comparison and demonstration. All of them very interesting and beautiful. Jens, the one with the tabjore hilt is exquisite. Regarding another thread, it is up to you guys as to what you think is best for the forum. As far as I am personally concerned, I don't mind at all the various pictures and discussion.
Based on Rand and Jen's thoughts about age of the hilt and blade and then looking at it up close, it does seem like two different times. The Tiger/deer seems a little finer drawn compared to the chisel of the hilt. Also, the dark background of the Tiger seems to be not only much more shallow than the hilt but also a different texture.
I am attaching a couple more pictures of the riveted flange area to try and show the rivets from a more horizontal perspective and a few others.
Concerning the piercings, it seems like they are a little different than the piercings on Ward's piece?? His and some of the others seem to be somewhat decorative. Mine doesn't seem decorative to me.
Here is my thought/question: Since the hilt appears to be chiseled, is it possible that the piercing is to facilitate the chiseling? What comes to mind is when someone is quarrying rock of some sort. They to drill holes and either put in explosives or water (to freeze and expand) to help break off the rock. Under this scenario, I was wondering if the piercing helped to make it easier to break of the metal?? Some of the piercings do not "pierce." They don't go all the way through.
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