US35292A - Improvement in india-rubber sword-handles - Google Patents

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UNITED `STATES PATENT OFFICE..V

IMPROVEMENT IN INDIA-RUBBER SWORD-HANDLES.

Specification forming 'part of Letters Patent No. 35,292, dated May 20, 1862. i

To @ZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MATTHEW C. BOGIA, of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, have invented a new and useful Improvement in the Handles of Swords and other Like Weapons; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to vthe accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

My invention consists in combining a tube of gum-elastic with the shank of a sword, dagger, or other like weapon, substantially as described hereinafter, for the threefold purpose of affording a `rm grip for the hand with but little exertion of the fingers, thumb, and palm; preventing the abrasion of the skin, and avoiding 'that stunning and straining of the hand which results from the repeatedblows and shocks to which cavalry-swords especially are subjected.v t

`In order to enable others to make my invention, I will now proceed to describe the manner in which it is constructed and applied.

On reference to the accompanying drai fings, which form a part of this speciiication,`

Figure l is an exterior view, and Fig. 2 a sectional view, of my improved handle as applied to a dagger; Fig. 3, my improvement as applied to the handle of an ordinary cavalrysword.

`On referenceto Figs. l and 2, A represents the blade of a dagger; B, the `cross-bar or guard between the handle and the blade, andv C the shank which passes through the handle D, the latter consisting of a gunrelastic tube,

which is confined to its place by means of a washer, E, forming the top of the handle, the upper end of the shank being riveted to this washer, as seen in Fig. 3. y

In fitting the gum-elastic tube to the shank the hole in the former should be considerably less than the shank, which must be forced into the tube, so as to be gripped tightly thereby. The tube, in fact, may be made to fit so tightly to the shank that it will retain its place without the aid of the washer E, which, together with the ferrule F, is used in ythe present instance more as a finish tothe handle than for absolute necessity.

i On reference to Fig.3, A is the blade, B

the guard, and D the handle," of a cavalrysword, the handle in this case also consist-ing of a gum-elastic tube fitting tightly over the shank of the blade and confined between the upper and lower portion of the guard. V

It will be evident, without further descriptions or illustrations, that gum-elastic tubes of various forms may be applied to thc Shanks of swords, daggers, the., tosuit the taste of themanufacturer, and that they may be applied either directly to the shanks, or, if less of the gum-elastic be required, a body of wood or othersuitable material may intervene between the shank and the gum-elastic. The desirability of so constructingthe handles of swords and other like weapons that they can be graspedv tightly in the hand and not easily forced therefrom by the exertions of an opponent is so well understood that it is usual to roughen the surfaces of the handles or to cover them with leather, shark-skin, and other materials which will partially resist the ten dency of the han dleto slip in or from the hand.

Gum-elastic having a less tendency than most materials to slip over the surface of the skin, its applicability to the handles of swords and other like weapons willv beapparent. A sword with a gum-elastic handle can be held with a much firmer grip than one with a handle composed of the usual rigid materials, and this with less exertion as regards the use of the fingers, thumb, and palm of the hand.

Another advantage of my improved swordhandle is that it will yield slightly to the pressure of the hand; hence the weapon can be used for a length of time without that abrasion of the skin which a rigid handle is apt to cause.

My improved handle is of especial advantage on cavalry-swords, which in engagements are subjected to severe blows and jars, the gum-elastic being of such a nature as to absorb the shocks which, when imparted to swords with rigid handles, tend to stun land strain the hand and render it in amore or less inefficient condition for a proper mantions of gum-elastic, excepting that which is known as hard rubber, may be applied to Swords, 85e., in the manner described above.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent- Combining a lcube of gum-elastic with lche shank of L sword, dagger, or other like weapon, substantially in the manner and for the purpose herein set forth.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MATTHEV C. BOGIA.

i 1'Tiriessfes:

HENRY HoWsoN, JOHN WHITE.

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