Schiavona pommel

[urbanspaceman]

I came across this image and thought I would post it in relation to the eternal question: "is the hole in the pommel meant to attach to the hook on the guard" despite many examples having no hole. Well, this should put a full-stop to that exercise. Of course we now need to know what it was for: a sword knot perhaps?
Also, note the leather wrap around the upper ricasso.