sword knot

a looped strap, ribbon, or the like attached to the hilt of a sword as a support or ornament.

Origin of sword knot

First recorded in 1685–95

In it he placed his sword in its scabbard and with its belt and sword-knot attached.

A Captain in the Ranks |George Cary Eggleston
Mr. Johnstone moved restlessly to the window, and busied himself with his sword-knot.

Tales from Many Sources |Various
Then I knew that my sword was by my side and my hand numb and throbbing, for the sword-knot was tight about my wrist.

The Kopje Garrison |George Manville Fenn
In default of one, I bethought me of a substitute—my sword-knot!

The Bandolero |Mayne Reid

A thorough elaborate gentleman, of the plume and sword-knot order, he was born with a nice sense of gallantry to women.

The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson, Volume 9 |Robert Louis Stevenson

sword knot

a loop on the hilt of a sword by which it was attached to the wrist, now purely decorative