Odd piece-what is it?

Jens Nordlunde · 3rd April 2006, 10:18 AM

I don’t think it is part of a headstall for a horse, I think it is a katar, crude but still a katar. I think Rick’s suggestion sounds as if it is the right one, that it is for a string of some kind, to steady the arm when stabbing.

Jim McDougall · 3rd April 2006, 02:19 PM

I too go along with Rick and Jens' assessment, that the eyelets in the arms of this weapon are likely to lash it to ones arms. I agree also with Jens that the appearance of one of these very similar in Mr. Tirri's book along with one of the Sind katars does not mean necessarily that it is regionally associated.

While these are crudely fashioned as mentioned and likely the work of local blacksmiths, they appear to be a rudimentary form of katar that seem to be intended for the close quarters slashing function of these weapons. I am glad that Jens included the very basic looking example that appeared in the Holstein book. One cannot resist wondering if these basic forms might have been a proto-katar form that remained in basic simple form in local regions while the well known larger and more complex forms developed independantly.

The inscribed marking are most interesting, any thoughts on the meaning or symbolism of these?

Best regards,
Jim

3rd April 2006, 10:18 AM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	I don’t think it is part of a headstall for a horse, I think it is a katar, crude but still a katar. I think Rick’s suggestion sounds as if it is the right one, that it is for a string of some kind, to steady the arm when stabbing.

3rd April 2006, 02:19 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	I too go along with Rick and Jens' assessment, that the eyelets in the arms of this weapon are likely to lash it to ones arms. I agree also with Jens that the appearance of one of these very similar in Mr. Tirri's book along with one of the Sind katars does not mean necessarily that it is regionally associated. While these are crudely fashioned as mentioned and likely the work of local blacksmiths, they appear to be a rudimentary form of katar that seem to be intended for the close quarters slashing function of these weapons. I am glad that Jens included the very basic looking example that appeared in the Holstein book. One cannot resist wondering if these basic forms might have been a proto-katar form that remained in basic simple form in local regions while the well known larger and more complex forms developed independantly. The inscribed marking are most interesting, any thoughts on the meaning or symbolism of these? Best regards, Jim