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Originally Posted by katana
Assuming this is an Indian blade that was originally fixed to a 'tulwar hilt' ...I would suggest that the rivetted crossguard was functional. The tang on such a blade would have been relatively short....compared to that of a kaskara blade.
To 're-inforce' the tang fixture, rivetting the crossguard through the blade makes sense ....bearing in mind that part of the 'langet' is bound/fixed to the hilt. The langet above the hilt is in fact wider, it is one piece with the lower section but 'stepped'.....this again suggests that a 'good, solid' fixing of the crossguard to the handle was required ....to which finally the blade was rivetted...
I am assuming that ... indeed, the rivet passes through the blade ....so is just pure speculation 
Regards David |
David, you bring up a most valid observation, another I had overlooked. That is this strange rivet feature in the center of the crossguard. About two years ago, Richard (Pukka Bundook) had a tulwar in tragic condition ("Bad News Tulwar" thread) that he beautifully restored. In the center of the crossguard, there was a rivetlike square, which I cannot recall whether functional or not, I dont believe that entered the discussion. In any case it was replaced by an aesthetic flower feature which looked great.
In the discussion, another tulwar which was one of the Rajput type form with the stem type appendage of Hindu basket hilt type on the pommel, had this centrally placed decoration in the crossguard. Again it was presumed to be a decorative feature associated with function, i.e. support as described.
I think your observation is really interesting and seems to further the support of the influence in degree of Indian weapons in the Sudan. It just seems that these often decorative rivet type features did exist on some tulwars, whether functional or not. Your case for the functionality according to the tang length seems extremely plausible as well.
The upper langet extension overwrapped and banded by the grip material is also a good observation. Much like the wire wrap over many shamshir hilts in this manner to secure and strengthen the blades reaction to the force of impact. This is seen in this fashion particularly in many Arabian sa'if (which often in the 19th century had straight SE blades) and is a feature also seen on Indian shamshirs in certain cases.
As I have often noted, I like your thinking !
All the best,
Jim