Indian Whotsit for comment:

Jens Nordlunde · 7th January 2019, 12:57 PM

The hole could be for a pin attached to a short chain attached to the scabbard to make sure the sword stays in the scabbard.
I have seen this on jade daggers - see below, but I have never seen this on swords. Sword scabbards often have a loop to keep the sword in place - see below. Mostly the loop is broken off, and only the 'fish tail' remains.

kronckew · 7th January 2019, 01:34 PM

Interesting! Thanks.

Sadly, no scabbard.

7th January 2019, 12:57 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	The hole could be for a pin attached to a short chain attached to the scabbard to make sure the sword stays in the scabbard. I have seen this on jade daggers - see below, but I have never seen this on swords. Sword scabbards often have a loop to keep the sword in place - see below. Mostly the loop is broken off, and only the 'fish tail' remains. Attached Images

7th January 2019, 01:34 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	Interesting! Thanks. Sadly, no scabbard.