A good early Patah 'Gauntlet-sword' from South India. Heavy chiselled-iron guarded hilt with beaded border and piercing to the handguard. Small panels of deeply chiselled scrolling designs to the upper and lower arm guard. Long langet mounts holding a very long double edged European steel blade struck with a deep mark to each side. The back of the upper gauntlet has a very unusual hinged armstrap to enable the weapon to be kept tight on the arm when fighting. Patah swordsman were specially trained for use with this ferocious weapon and can sometimes be seen holding either one or two patahs in some early miniatures of the period. The gauntlet would originally have had a padded inner lining. Very good condition, dark patination throughout. 50 inches overall, 37 inch blade. Dating to the 17th century or earlier.

$2295

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