The part is called the guard and it is the first thing I would think of 
as a possible ID but again the period is outside my limited knowledge of 
bladed weapons.

paul courtney
leicester
UK
Ron May wrote:
>  
> In a message dated 2/14/2007 12:41:57 P.M. Pacific Standard Time,  
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> http://www.archaeologyfieldwork.com/cgi-bin/yabb2/YaBB.pl?num=1167964245/0
>
>
>
> Although I know nothing of the artifacts of the War of 1812, these ovals  
> remind me of elements of Japanese swords. I once observed an appraiser dismantle  
> a traditional Japanese sword to reveal the maker's mark on the portion of the 
>  blade that inserted into the handle and oval pieces slipped off the shank 
> from  the base of the handle. Although the historic context is not likely for 
> Japanese  swords, that is what I am reminded of when looking a those items.
>  
> Ron May
> Legacy 106, Inc.
>
>