C.1800. 31 3/4" curved wedge section blade with stepped ricasso, unmarked and showing mottled light gray patina. Iron hilt made in two pieces with lobed pommel and hatched grip with banded base. The peen through the pommel in European style. Separate cross guard with down turned terminals and shield shaped langets. Hilt shows dark patina with scattered light pitting as expected for its age. Evidently intended to improve on traditional construction by incorporating European features, but entirely Eastern construction including the grip hatching which is hand filed rather than knurled or tool checkered. Only example of its type we have encountered.
