Very strange sword

[Jim McDougall]

Shayde, that was a very astute observation, and I know I hadn't thought of it.
While obvious an incredibly disparate chronological gap, it is of course well known that many relatively modern sword forms were made in an atavistic
spirit. It seems there have been some recalling the blade form of the khopesh, and I recall even the 'Black Sea yataghan' was at one point noted to be a modern descendant of these. Actually more to that form was an ancient Sumerian sword.

* below is image of the khopesh found in the tomb of Tutankhamen

Moving to some instances which refer to the attacking of the reins of the horse:

"...several of our officers had chain reins made for their regimental bridles, because in the last action the enemy had cut some of the bridles of the 3rd Light Dragoons with their SWORDS, by which the riders became powerless having lost all command of their horses. "
"Journal of a Cavalry Officer Including the Memorable
Sikh Campaign of 1845-46"
Willam Wellington Humbly (1854)

"...the 'Lochaber axe' had a broad blade, and often possessed a hook at the back, or an implement for cutting the reins of a mounted man, and this was the cause of the introduction, in some cases of reins of metal. "
"Weapons: A Brief Disclosure on Hand
Weapons other than Firearms"
B.E. Sargeaunt (1908)

In the first account, clearly the Sikhs were using their swords for this type of action, and as far as I know these were usually tulwars. It was noted by Capt.Lewis Nolan, who is best known for his place in the famed "Charge of the Light Brigade", that the Indian warriors feared for their remarkable swordsmanship in battle, often used old British cavalry blades (M1796) in their swords. He was a writer on military tactics and particularly on the cavalry horse. I do nor believe he ever mentioned 'hamstringing' of these mounts.

In any case, it does seem that disabling primarily the rider by removing his control of the horse was a paramount concept, and one wonders if there was really a compassionate side of mounted combatants which precluded harm to these horses. Obviously many horses were killed in battle, but in most cases it was as collateral casualties from gunfire or explosives or cannon fire.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I have to say I think this is a grass cutting device for gathering fodder... However there are a few caveats to drop into the mix.

Count Gleichen (Guards Camel Corps) after the battle of Abu Klea, described the native weapons lying on the battle field thus:

"Arms of all sorts and broken banner-staves were scattered over the field; spears in hundreds, some of enormous length, javelins, knobkerries, hatchets, swords and knives, I even found a Birmingham bill-hook, with the trade-mark on it, in an Arab's hand, sharp as a razor and covered with blood and hair: how it got there I know not, so I confiscated it for the use of our mess."Unquote.

of knives it said ~

Quote" Knives offer the greatest variety in shape, decoration and materials used. They were double-edged and maintained at razor sharpness. The hooked blades were for hamstringing horses and transport animals, and were used with great effect against the 10th and 19th Hussars at El Teb."Unquote.

[Victrix]

I doubt there was that much sentiment for horses in old times during war when the focus must have been on personal survival. During the Battle of Lutzen in 1632 an Imperial commander Ottavio Piccolomini had no less than five horses killed under him.

With regards to the strange sword, arguably it does not seem to belong in the European theatre of war and I would not rule out that it’s purpose might be to hamstring camels in Africa? Camels are big animals and for a foot soldier the only way to reach the rider physically would be to first take down his mount. Foot soldiers equipped with this weapon would then likely try to repeat the feat on the enemy’s horses?

[Jim McDougall]

Sure do wish somebody could find at least one more of these, and maybe with some context. While the label on the one example is interesting, some collaboration or mention of such use as described in contemporary literature would be great.
Hope it wont be another 9 years!!!

[Richard G]

I'm not sure I can see this as a combat weapon, it is just too strange. But I wouldn't be surprised if it had a specific purpose within the military. For example, some form of farrier's instrument, combing the dispatching of injured horses with crude butchery and maybe cutting and raking out hay bales etc.
Just a suggestion
Regards
Richard

[Jim McDougall]

I think it might be for cutting hay bales

[kronckew]

hay bales? fodder? the japanese equivalent: my jingama i could shave with it too.