Did the English make katars?

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Andrew

What about the katar being used by the rank and file? Was this truly a weapon of status? I've seen miniatures and artwork depicting what certainly looks like rank and file infantry with katars.

As it appears, there certainly were luxurious katars for novelty, as well as humble katars for rank and file, and also for civilians. Being largely divulged in the west as a combat weapon, i have read that the katar was also meant for defence against tigre atack.
The example pictured is work of a Portuguese silversmith, mid XVIII century. Both scabbard and grip are chiseled silver, mounted on an European blade ( Rainer Dahehnardt collection ).
The marvelous oil paint depicts three Malabar warriors, holding a musket, a tulwar, a katar, a pata and a shield ( Georg Scheder-Bieschin collection ). I would say these guys look rank and file, right ?
fernando