Hi Stephen,
Sounds like some sort of a transition to the white metal and aluminium triangular rings. I have a feeling these as well as chapes and throats were probably recycled and reused on newer leather work as required. Potentially this applies to entire brass hilts as well as I've seen heavy duty and old single piece brass hilts with leather covered guards, where it appears the handle has been cut down to accommodate the newer mounts.
I can probably dig up a few other photos, but they all generally show the same. At least recently this is something in vogue among the Tuareg. I have however, never seen this style depicted on any old photos or sketches.
Cheers,
Iain
|