Decoration on Indian blades

Jens Nordlunde · 30th January 2005, 04:24 PM

Hi Jeff,

It is difficult to guess, but I will try anyway. To me it looks as if the guard has been cut off, this could mean that it has been broken – not reparable, or that the (new) owner did not like a guard.
I have another hilt where the guard is missing, but here it is clear, that the guard must have been loose from the start, and must have fallen off. Loose guards can’t have been so seldom as many believe, although I do believe that most guards were forged to the hilt.
Interesting hilt you show, are the eyes mountain crystal?

Jens

30th January 2005, 04:24 PM	#19
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Jeff, It is difficult to guess, but I will try anyway. To me it looks as if the guard has been cut off, this could mean that it has been broken – not reparable, or that the (new) owner did not like a guard. I have another hilt where the guard is missing, but here it is clear, that the guard must have been loose from the start, and must have fallen off. Loose guards can’t have been so seldom as many believe, although I do believe that most guards were forged to the hilt. Interesting hilt you show, are the eyes mountain crystal? Jens