gorr
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Post by gorr on Oct 24, 2022 19:05:41 GMT
I am prototyping diy martingales (finger loop) to help get better control over my nose heavy, skinny rear end Thompson saber. Mixed success, but I might get there faster if I could see what others have done. I tried search and had no luck.
Yes, it is just a simple loop of cordage or leather to look at, but my experience at getting the right fit and secure, tight tiedown of the loop to the grip s a learning curve for sure.
Wet leather to dry and shrink is probably my next tactic. I have tried:
Basically a leather finger loop secured by sewed waxed cord at two points, so another cord can thread between the two points at right angles to the finger loop, this is then wrapped tightly around handle/grip closest to the front inside of the guard as possible
Before that I ran the two ends of a piece of paracord through two convenient lightening holes in the guard and tied them off outside the guard. Loose and ugly. And I didn't like strain on the guard.
Any good photos or ideas out there? I need to read the sticky on posting photos, I'll share what I have so far.
It helps incredibly with control.
Here's an historical question: Were military issue standardized in any way concerning martingales, or was it an individual accommodation to hand size/style, or both? They would tend to be an expendable replaceable item, and might not stand the test of time. Were they more commonly used than we believe?
Practical and historical. The old ones normally did things for a reason, usually related to survival.
Thanks much. I am not only getting new facts from reading the Forum, I am also making connections between my existing small sword fighting database.
It all helps.
gorr
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 24, 2022 20:07:45 GMT
Far from my knowledge base, but I did a quick search for "saber finger loop" and found this interesting, albeit short, thread on MyArmoury: myarmoury.com/talk/viewtopic.14388.htmlLooks like the sword in the first post had a loop of leather either screwed, riveted, or otherwise peened directly onto the guard. Another example posted later looks like a portion of the leather is seated between the guard and grip; surely a method made easier by being able to disassemble the lot. No doubt you've already come across as much, but now I'm curious about finding out how it's done, myself.
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 24, 2022 20:28:38 GMT
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 26, 2022 17:12:52 GMT
Looks like you've got a pretty solid idea going. I'm eager to see the final product.
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gorr
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Post by gorr on Oct 30, 2022 15:04:17 GMT
Here is the final prototype: Aluminum reinforcement plate bent to match curve of bowl and drilled to match existing holes. Large leather washer protecting outside of bowl. Chicago screws through plate, washer, and bowl.
Inside, washers for two side screws, and self washer from finger loop. I plan to make the finger loop easily adjustable to allow for different gloves, etc.
Less than an ounce. The plate could be lightened, use rivets instead of screws, lots of options.
Sorry it is not pretty, but I leave that to another person's skill and expertise. I want to start swinging this again!
Closing thought: "If you can't be with the sword you love, love the one your're with."
gorr
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Post by randomnobody on Oct 30, 2022 16:32:11 GMT
Looks better than anything I could do.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Nov 2, 2022 11:41:23 GMT
Hello Gorr. I stumbled upon this interesting thread today. You made a very good looking solution. Here's how it is done on a Swiss M1867 Cavalry sabre and Austrian and Prussian sabres. Maybe Anglo stuff too, but that is not my field of interest. The loop is basically a strip of belt leather of 2 cm wide and 14/15 cm long, with a hole punched in both nicely rounded ends for the screw. The screw fits in a threaded hole in the basket. A quite the standard and simple solution. In my collection I have more sabres with this loop construction, but only one where the loop ends sit between basket and grip, so the holes in the ends would fit the tang at that point. From what I picked up here and there this latter solution was used both with screw on and regular peened sabres. When the leather breakes the remnants of the finger loop would continue to function as a washer. No harm done. I think I have a Spanish Cavalry sword with a tang loop. But the former is I think more the standard. The loop can be turned around so it sits right up against the grip. Some preferred it that way, some liked the loop to sit some way back like in the picture. Cheers.
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Uhlan
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Post by Uhlan on Nov 3, 2022 9:33:04 GMT
No problem. Glad to be of service.
And you be well too. Cheers.
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