Curved Touareg sword?

Emanuel · 15th July 2005, 06:22 PM

Hello
Following my new interest in sword collecting and passion for their history, I've encountered this particular blade identified as a Touareg sabre. It is curved and not a takouba, so what is it? I've seen another similar blade but with a very thick jambiya hilt uncharacteristic of touareg/morrocan/algerian swords. Any ideas on its name and origin?

Thanks
Manolo

Henk · 15th July 2005, 06:55 PM

I doubt it is touareg at all. I'm afraid it is very new and made for the tourist market.

Emanuel · 15th July 2005, 07:03 PM

Agreed, it most certainly looks kich, but I'm wondering whether it has any historical precedence. The crescent decorations on the blade would indicate a muslim/northern african model.

Ian · 15th July 2005, 07:26 PM

I have several of these that were brought back from Ghana and Cote D'ivoire. They are new and sold inexpensively to the tourist trade.

Ian.

Emanuel · 15th July 2005, 07:37 PM

That solves that question then, thanks.

Jim McDougall · 15th July 2005, 11:08 PM

Hi Manolo,
Although it has been agreed that your example is a tourist trade item, I am very impressed that you are seeking information on what particular weapon or culture would have influenced its style and decoration. This is what the study of ethnographic edged weapons is all about and I just wanted to reinforce that since you are just beginning the obsession

Tourist items however offer great difficulty in such sincere study as they are typically composites of various weapon types not necessarily connected and often reach nearly fantasy level, intended for dramatic effect.

Nicely placed question!
Best regards,
Jim

15th July 2005, 06:22 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Curved Touareg sword? Hello Following my new interest in sword collecting and passion for their history, I've encountered this particular blade identified as a Touareg sabre. It is curved and not a takouba, so what is it? I've seen another similar blade but with a very thick jambiya hilt uncharacteristic of touareg/morrocan/algerian swords. Any ideas on its name and origin? Thanks Manolo Attached Images Last edited by Manolo; 15th July 2005 at 06:37 PM.

15th July 2005, 06:55 PM	#2
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	I doubt it is touareg at all. I'm afraid it is very new and made for the tourist market.

15th July 2005, 07:03 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Agreed, it most certainly looks kich, but I'm wondering whether it has any historical precedence. The crescent decorations on the blade would indicate a muslim/northern african model.

15th July 2005, 07:26 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,522	I have several of these that were brought back from Ghana and Cote D'ivoire. They are new and sold inexpensively to the tourist trade. Ian.

15th July 2005, 07:37 PM	#5
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	That solves that question then, thanks.

15th July 2005, 11:08 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Hi Manolo, Although it has been agreed that your example is a tourist trade item, I am very impressed that you are seeking information on what particular weapon or culture would have influenced its style and decoration. This is what the study of ethnographic edged weapons is all about and I just wanted to reinforce that since you are just beginning the obsession Tourist items however offer great difficulty in such sincere study as they are typically composites of various weapon types not necessarily connected and often reach nearly fantasy level, intended for dramatic effect. Nicely placed question! Best regards, Jim