[Jeffrey Hildebrandt]

I don't usually work on swords, but this project was an interesting cross-over. This is my reproduction of an 18th C Indian pata hilt, with repoussé, etching and an Indian silk liner. It has been fitted with a Windlass blade, in an ironic juxtaposition of the original, which was made in India and fitted with a European blade.

I have posted more photos of this and other recent projects on my Facebook page.









-Hildebrandt

[Christian Borglum]

Wow, that's beautiful! Very cool. I don't think I've ever seen a high quality reproduction of a Pata before. Your detail work with the etching highlights creates a very striking piece. I also particularly like the decorative fringe treatment you've done on the exterior rivet washers where the grip is attached. Plus that patterned silk lining is pretty sweet! You can count me among the many myArmoury forumites who always look forward to seeing your work, Thanks for sharing.

Christian Borglum

[William P]

ive seen patas in books quite a few times, that looks pretty exquisite in all areas of detail

[Jeffrey Hildebrandt]

[Matthew G.M. Korenkiewicz]

Now this is what I'm talking ' bout ! B-)

Beautifully done. It would be great to see the item in hand / on arm, and
interesting to read what you learned about the pata, or how much you may
have modernized the project ...

[Ian Hutchison]

That screams cool. I'd love to see what it looks like being 'worn' (or is it held? Perhaps both.).

[Jonathan Hopkins]

Sensational! This is the first pata replica I have seen, and I doubt I will see its rival (unless you make another one!). Well done!

Jonathan

[Jeffrey Hildebrandt]

[Matthew G.M. Korenkiewicz]

Thanks, JH ...

One of the fascinating elements of the pata, and I think another Indian
sword called the firangi, is where the blade meets the gauntlet. The
blade being rivetted in place. One can't help wondering how " strong "
the arrangement is ...

In fact, after doing a little Wikipedia-ing, the pata was " considered a
highly effective weapon for infantryman against heavy cavalry " ... so
it would HAVE to be a pretty sturdy piece, yes ?

Care to share a thought on this, too, JH ?

[Jeffrey Hildebrandt]

I am not a sword performance expert, so don't put too much stock in my observations... but I think that the junction would be adequate. There is at least as much steel connecting the blade to the user as there would be with a more conventional tang, and the structure of the tabs that rivet to the blade have the right anticlastic form to resist deformation, though a more extreme medial ridge would strengthen them further.

My concern would be in the ability of the wielder to control the blade adequately without the use of his wrist - but judging by the extreme slenderness of many originals, I think that taking the wrist out of the occasion may have been wise.

-Hildebrandt

[Robin Smith]

When I was a child, my grandparents house always fascinated me. My grandmother was quite the armchair historian and antiquities collector. She had several cool antique weapons. One thing that always caught my attention as a child was the Pata that she had...

...I haven't thought about one of these in years. Seeing this made me think of all the cool stuff she had. For that, I thank you Jeff! Great job, as it has the character and grace of an original.

[W. Scott Brown]

I recently learned how acid etching on armor was done, and yours looks like a great example of the technique.

And, I think other great modern armorers also use a sharpie


Scott

[Jussi Ekholm]

Just amazing, nothing else I can say.

[Scott Roush]

This is really wonderful Jeffrey. What a weapon that is. It's one of those things that is obviously historical... but would also fit just fine in a fantasy, Steampunk or Post-apocalyptic setting!