The Maratha Pata or gauntlet sword is believed to have been used by expert swordsmen and is uniquely suited to horsemen. The steel gauntlet covers the hand, wrist, and most of the forearm.
The sword is held by employing two mechanisms within the gauntlet; the hand is inserted into the gauntlet past a serpentine floating metal cross-bar, up to the mid-forearm before grasping a floating metal pipe surrounding a rigid centre cross-bar, the hand making a fist around the floating pipe. The flex of the forearm muscle and the grip of the hand make this fit very snug. Padding would have originally been lining the inner gauntlet and perhaps a glove was also worn. This sword becomes an effective extension of the arm. The blade is quite flexible and it is believed they were designed to bend when striking a more solid object, minimizing the possibility of unhorsing the rider.
This 18th or possibly early 19th Century Pata is in excellent condition. The gauntlet and blade show age related tarnish.
The 34 inch / 87 cm double edged, un-fullered blade is in excellent condition for its age and retains its edge. The few nicks and mild buckling of the flexible blade are consistent with combat use.
The steel gauntlet is intricately decorated. The blade is firm in the gauntlet.
Overall length 46.5 inches / 118 cm
This is a very interesting and hard to find gauntlet sword. It is guaranteed fresh to the market from a private collection.
