KATTARA QUESTION

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by TVV

Stu, congratulations on your latest acquisition. My guess would be that the hole was used to thread a piece of cord through, used to secure the hilt to the hand in a loop and prevent the the sword from being dropped. I am sure there is a proper word for this, I just cannot come up with it right now.

The leather on the hilt looks like a replacement.

Regards,
Teodor

Yes the leather is a replacement. It looked like this when I got it! A bit of an improvement I think.
Thanks also Michael. I also would have thought that the Sultan would have had something in the hole! The plot thickens!!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Yes the leather is a replacement. It looked like this when I got it! A bit of an improvement I think.
Thanks also Michael. I also would have thought that the Sultan would have had something in the hole! The plot thickens!!

This is a great question to which all my Omani friends dont know the answer. It puzzles me. First I thought it was a hole to hang it on the wall or some sort of evil drainage hole as its iron.etc etc Then I was told it was only on newer swords not the old ones. That isnt the case since I see old ones on this thread and an old photo clearly showing the hole. I think I need to sit down with an Omani swordsmith and ask that question as it could be that the hole is for some process in the making of the sword or the application of the leather over the wooden hilt so that the sword is steadied by being nailed to the workbench or something. It is weird. Maybe its for a wrist strap after all. Ha !