Help with appendage

[IJASWORDS]

On a small percentage of '98 tsuba, there is an appendage that is a small loop of brass, that is always in the same place. I doubt it has anything to do with a locking mechanism as all the swords have a lock of some kind. The examples here have a push button lock, the other an Iida  lock. 

Can anyone help with identification? 

[PNSSHOGUN]

I have always thought it was to loop the tassel through so it stays tidy.

[David Flynn]

I doubt the crown section of the Tassel would fit through.

[16k]

John, That would be my thought too. A guy I know in the army told me the primary use of tassels wasn’t rank at the beginning, but to replace the loop of cavalry swords so that within a charge, the sword could not only stay within the hand and wasn’t twisted backwards by the momentum. So that could be it.

 

As for the crown section not going through, I’m sure there are ways to tie the tassel without the crown needing to go through this.

[PNSSHOGUN]

The crown wouldn't need to pass through to tie it in the usual fashion. Perhaps Neil can try it and let us know.

[IJASWORDS]

Yep, by passing the flat end of the tassel through the appendage, removing the satute, and knotting around sarute, then refit the sarute it works.  

[Stephen]

My thoughts it's for a lanyard.

[vajo]

For a clip around the hand if it has no tassel in combat? 

[Shamsy]

Perhaps an anchor for a second form of securing the sword within the saya?

[Dave R]

I have a funny feeling that this has been discussed before, but alas I cannot remember where.

[Bazza]

I have a funny feeling that this has been discussed before, but alas I cannot remember where.

In the appendage section???  (I just LUV double entendres...)

 

BaZZa.

[16k]

Actually, my first reply would have been :”I can’t help you with your appendage as I’m too busy with mine!” :D

[Guest]

Could it have something to do with fixing foul weather covers for transportation?

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 12/17/2019 at 2:52 PM, IJASWORDS said:

Yep, by passing the flat end of the tassel through the appendage, removing the satute, and knotting around sarute, then refit the sarute it works.  

Neil

Can you demonstration how it works?

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Since we're all speculating wildly, what would it look like if the bracket were used to hook up tight on the sword belt, buypassing the usual cord?

 

Another idea - since, as JP pointed out, the "tassel" was originally a lanyard to be snugged around one's writs (that's what the slider was for), maybe this loop would bring the wrist-end of the lanyard down tight, closer to the tsuba when installed over the owner's hand.  Neil, if you plan to install a tassel through it, fold the end back toward the grip after installed, and see if the hand would fit in nicely.

[PNSSHOGUN]

The belt clip theory is very interesting, it would hold the sword in the preferred regain position. I would also like to see the tassel mounted through it as well.

[Bryce]

G'day Guys,

You sometimes see a similar feature on British cavalry swords. It is generally considered to be an alternative attachment point for the sword knot, which was wrapped around the wrist to prevent the sword from being lost in combat. Normally the sword knot was attached at the top of the knucklebow, but some swords have this alternate attachment point. Here are a couple of examples circa 1800 and 1854.

Cheers,

Bryce

 

[BANGBANGSAN]

On 12/17/2020 at 2:40 PM, PNSSHOGUN said:

The belt clip theory is very interesting, it would hold the sword in the preferred regain position. I would also like to see the tassel mounted through it as well.

some officer had their sword hanger loose like this...

 

 

[Bruce Pennington]

Hard to believe they would drag them like that! Did you see the guy in the last photo, on the left, has his strapped to his back.