Takouba with a Potentially Older Blade

TVV · Yesterday, 12:47 AM

While the fittings on this takouba are fairly unremarkable - second half of the 20th century based on the stacked pommel and in poor shape, I acquired it because of the blade. It has a well-executed fuller and more interestingly is marked with a running wolf on one side and a cross and orb on the other. The marks are crisp and appear to be struck, not chiseled. There also appear to be traces of latten in the marks, especially in the cross and orb. This all leads to believe that this is a European blade, not a native one.

Back while taouba.org was still on, Iain had a sword there under number 130 with very similar markings. He dated its blade to the 17th century. What is your opinion on this one - European or African imitation blade, and if European, how would you date it?

Ian · Yesterday, 08:59 AM

The stamped markings notwithstanding, this does not look like a 17th C blade to me. The steel shows no old patina or oxidation as best I can see. The course grinding marks suggest local manufacture.

Iain · Yesterday, 11:03 AM

A nice example almost certainly from Solingen. I'd stick with a 17th century dating. The clean condition is to be expected in a sword in later mounts, these blades were treasured, remounted, reground and maintained for centuries in relatively dry arid conditions. I've handled multiple blades of exactly this style and you'll be able to tell in the hand pretty easily from the steal quality if it's European.

Definitely hot struck blade marks meaning they were not native additions. Latten is also correct for the period, sometimes marks were filled locally but that was done with molten copper usually and a solid 'fill' rather than European latten work.

A nice solid sword and a good example of how these old blades kept being used and remounted.

TVV · Yesterday, 07:00 PM

Thank you Ian and Iain, much appreciated

Patterson25 · Yesterday, 07:21 PM

Very nice 17th-century blade, congrats!
I think you’re being a bit pessimistic; I would date the hilt to the early 20th century, around the 1930s.
There are perpendicular marks on the ricasso, could this be a sandwich-bladed takouba from the 18th or 19th century that was later remounted in the 20th century?

Yesterday, 12:47 AM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,748	Takouba with a Potentially Older Blade While the fittings on this takouba are fairly unremarkable - second half of the 20th century based on the stacked pommel and in poor shape, I acquired it because of the blade. It has a well-executed fuller and more interestingly is marked with a running wolf on one side and a cross and orb on the other. The marks are crisp and appear to be struck, not chiseled. There also appear to be traces of latten in the marks, especially in the cross and orb. This all leads to believe that this is a European blade, not a native one. Back while taouba.org was still on, Iain had a sword there under number 130 with very similar markings. He dated its blade to the 17th century. What is your opinion on this one - European or African imitation blade, and if European, how would you date it? Attached Images

Yesterday, 08:59 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,625	The stamped markings notwithstanding, this does not look like a 17th C blade to me. The steel shows no old patina or oxidation as best I can see. The course grinding marks suggest local manufacture.

Yesterday, 11:03 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,720	A nice example almost certainly from Solingen. I'd stick with a 17th century dating. The clean condition is to be expected in a sword in later mounts, these blades were treasured, remounted, reground and maintained for centuries in relatively dry arid conditions. I've handled multiple blades of exactly this style and you'll be able to tell in the hand pretty easily from the steal quality if it's European. Definitely hot struck blade marks meaning they were not native additions. Latten is also correct for the period, sometimes marks were filled locally but that was done with molten copper usually and a solid 'fill' rather than European latten work. A nice solid sword and a good example of how these old blades kept being used and remounted.

Yesterday, 07:00 PM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,748	Thank you Ian and Iain, much appreciated

Yesterday, 07:21 PM	#5
Patterson25 Member Join Date: Oct 2025 Posts: 10	Very nice 17th-century blade, congrats! I think you’re being a bit pessimistic; I would date the hilt to the early 20th century, around the 1930s. There are perpendicular marks on the ricasso, could this be a sandwich-bladed takouba from the 18th or 19th century that was later remounted in the 20th century?