Kampilan metal guards or "staples"

[Gavin Nugent]

Given the recent discussions across various posts and other historical posts, I'd like to explore the feature of the "staples" and various examples of the type.

There are a variety of metals used, Iron, brass, silver, and a variety of styles.

Whilst these are practical features, I can help but wonder if there was some intended mimicking of Spanish rapier guards with the twists and turns of some staple types, and I do recall seeing a guard that was drilled with the holes facing towards the blade, which, if it once had staples, would have been quite a sight as I'd have expected some sort of blade catching arrangement.

I'll start with these from within the forum pages. Whilst perhaps not the most exotic by design, they do seem to be amongst the rarest types.