M1889 folding guard sword notches

[ussguppy]

Greetings,

Here are some of my m1889 swords. Some of them have notches on the top of the hand guard closer to the pommel. Does anyone know what they are for? They are not consistent between blades.

Gabe

 

[pickelhauben]

Victims ?

 

[SCHUPO]

I think these notches were for style and probably to give some purchase to the Portepee strap to keep it from sliding down the guard. Some guards have holes to attach the strap end.

 

[ccj]

Those are some fine swords posted above

 

[ussguppy]

I think these notches were for style and probably to give some purchase to the Portepee strap to keep it from sliding down the guard. Some guards have holes to attach the strap end.

That may be the case as my personal military officer sword for work has the hole for that purpose, but it doesn't seem to be consistent with the manner of which the sword knots were installed on these models from pictures I've seen.