Takouba with a 16th century blade?

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Iain

Well noted Jim, the issue I think is that this triple fuller pattern blade was in existence in the European context for several centuries as well as widely copied abroad. This blade may well be European, even if the marks are somewhat spurious.

I don't have the swords anymore but I still have something of an image archive left from the 'takouba years' and this is one that I would consider has actual European half moons potentially. The difference is quite evident I would say.

Markings on takoubas have been discussed at length on the forum, especially the dukari. We have no indication of how many lemmets were imported from Europe to North Africa in recent centuries, but may assume tens of thousands. We also know that not every blade entering North Africa had a mark. That they were in by traders often provided locally with an imitation mark is known.
It becomes difficult when those dealers possess stamps made in Europe. What I wonder is if a European dealer to get more of his blades applied markings himself.
Seems to me a gray area to place marks of a high quality. The often locally applied markings are usually clearly identifiable.
Regards
Marc