Qs about the Hanuman sheath

Bri in Chi

Bri in Chi

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May 28, 2003
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Recently got a Hanuman from UBBB and have some questions regarding it. One of the small tools in the sheath is a small scraper of some sort; a flat, curved, hook-like device. Any help here? Also, I can't figure out the little "tinder pouch" it's open on both ends, how does it work? And the strap with knobs on each end, wrapped around the sheath that appears to have something to do with carrying it on the belt -- but how?
Thanks! :confused:
 
1. Bullet remover and nose picker
2. Put a piece of flint in in as a "potholder" type of setup
3. Strap and knobs stop the thing from slipping through your sash...what? You don't wear a sash?

Who knows? But they are cool, eh? Love mine!
 
I "think" that the scabbards on the Hanuman, and the Berk Special Dui Chirra are made in the old way. The scabbard would be thrust down behind a sash. The buttons kept it from falling through. The small instrument you describe is a mystery. My personal opinion is that it is to remove ear wax. :barf:

If I'm way off base, someone will be along shortly to straighten me out. :)

Steve

Oops, Nasty beat me to it!
 
Ear wax remover was the first thing that occurred to me too. :barf: How important is that as a survival tool? There has to be a better use, doncha think?

Gurkha battalion wiped out! Clogged ear canals prevented orders being heard by troops! Generals demand equipment upgrades!
 
Nasty said:
1. Bullet remover and nose picker
2. Put a piece of flint in in as a "potholder" type of setup
3. Strap and knobs stop the thing from slipping through your sash...what? You don't wear a sash?

Who knows? But they are cool, eh? Love mine!
Click to expand...
Nasty's pretty close.:)
The "ear wax removal tool" is indeed some kind of medical tool according to John Powell who remarked on it not long ago. A bullet remover would probably be a good description,
Up until I saw John's explanation I always thought it was a button hook used for the old timey shoes, think Uncle Bill thought the same and I'm sure that's where I got the understanding from.;)

I don't get the pouches being open at both ends either but they're supposed to be there to hold flint and tinder so maybe it's not too far fetched after all.
I can see the benefits of having it open on both ends, ease of removal of tinder and flint.

Nasty is spot on about the buttons and strap around the scabbard. It is too keep the rig from slipping through the sash.
I'm sure John Powell could enlighten us as too whether the buttons were originally used as buttons are today or if they just stopped the rig from sliding through.
 
yes, the pouch is for collecting tinder. You would roll and bind it first - IIRC.

The buttons are definitely "old school" and very nice.
 
Just now remembering that I spoke with JP about the buttons.....

IIRC, there are some that would actually button to your uniform - that's what it was for. Held in place by your sash, fastened with the buttons to your uppers.
 
The strap and buttons (there are also other devices attached to the strap, but are rare) keep the scabbard from slipping through the sash (patuka in Nepali). These buttons are not used to attach to any uniform. Dan, maybe you were thinking of the "Afghani" military piece that has button-holed straps that do attach to the shoulder straps of Victorian era British kit.


The original uses weren't for survival, but as tools by travelling tinkers or those who performed basic medical needs.
From the book:
No written descriptions of the trousse or who carried them exist, but off-hand mention comes from stories about day by day life in the hills. One story from a 19th botanist refers to the “tinker’s knife having as many uses as there were small metal imlplements” is intriguing but sadly doesn’t go into those uses. The tinker would have had many odd jobs to attend to as he went from village to village and his role as a type of shaman could also have been included. Whether he acted as a spiritual man is pure speculation, but he probably could repair everything from worn out clothing and shoes to minor metal or wood work. He also could sell whatever type goods he accumulated in his travels and barter services for food and lodging. And if he could sew up a coat he could probably sew up a wound. Various sized needles appear in the pouch itself although I have yet to see any type string or thread. His chisel would work equally well on fixing a bobbin as chipping at a piece of bone. Medical personnel have compared many of the items found with the trousse to surgical tools still used today adding to the possiblity of surgical and tonsorial abilities. What appear to be buttonhooks are similar to clamps and today’s tool that holds open a wound during an operation. The short and long corkscrews were used for boring an opening while the specialised hooks and flattened blades resemble scalpels and are just as sharp. The corkscrew was also critical to open the bottles of port which seemed to accompany the British Officers everywhere.

The earliest example shown comes from the mid 19thc And contains 13 tools. The style of the tools is also a clue to the age of the trousse. The small saws are a great indicator of age as is the addition of scissors or any obvious 20thc item. These multiple miniature scabbards appear to have been a catch-all with disparate pieces showing up, but the reverse also applies in that many of the items have disappeared leaving the new owner wondering what could have been in there.

This is the opening spread for the book on the trousse to show many of the tools.
trousse.jpg
 
Kinda looks like a SAK XLT that's been taken apart:) I love me some gadgets:)

Jake
 
Arghh! You've got to stop teasing us this way...when can we buy a copy of your book???
 
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