Antique South Indian Gauntlet Sword ‘Patah’

 A very nice and unusual Gauntlet sword or ‘Patah’ from South India. Brass hilts are typically found as regional styles in the south of the subcontinent and the Deccan, this example is unusual in having the upper gauntlet sleeve pierced through in a ‘scaled’ design. The handguard section of the gauntlet is shaped as a fist, the whole hilt decorated with beading motifs around the edge and some loops presumably to take jingles. It is likely the whole inner side of the gauntlet would have been colourfully lined to show through the piercing. The blade is of sturdy double edged steel with a deep fuller to the centre imparting rigidity and strength, at the forte it thickens greatly to allow it to be mounted with rivets to the gauntlet. The sword is held by and iron handgrip and an iron loop to the top to keep the lower arm secure and to allow the patah to be used in long slashing movements. Circa 1800, South India/Mysore.indo persia zulfiqar shamshir tulwar sword sabre scimitar