Latest kaskara for comment

Mefidk · 28th December 2020, 07:07 AM

Hi Jim
Thanks for the confirmation and the information posted before. I'm interested in the numbers - are the German blades you've seen matching this form of messy numbering on the ricasso?
The process of making them must be interesting. They are not machine created but appear to be raised out of an uneven depression in the blade. Perhaps deeply acid etched like the fuller decoration, but not neatly done. I don't see an easy way to make it by stamps in this form, but could be possible I guess.
I also wonder what they represent, batch numbers maybe. But it's really odd when you think of the way that blades and gun parts were usually marked at that time post manufacture, and why so visible and variable in placing.

Btw I have another kaskara with the Amharic etched in the center fuller very like the examples you posted. Again, this has a lower quality local made guard and rather plain scabbard, with a Hadendoa tassle.

For both these swords I'd attributed it to individual blades moving west, but now seeing Marc's example it suggests that these blades could have been more than a one-off chance. Perhaps more organised late 19thC/early 20thC trade with Ethiopia for suitable blades, hence the poor quality local made fittings and not the better type usually seen on older kaskara. But you raise the idea that these were Ethiopian made if I understand your correctly.

Marc M. · 28th December 2020, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mefidk

Hi Jim
Thanks for the confirmation and the information posted before. I'm interested in the numbers - are the German blades you've seen matching this form of messy numbering on the ricasso?
The process of making them must be interesting. They are not machine created but appear to be raised out of an uneven depression in the blade. Perhaps deeply acid etched like the fuller decoration, but not neatly done. I don't see an easy way to make it by stamps in this form, but could be possible I guess.
I also wonder what they represent, batch numbers maybe. But it's really odd when you think of the way that blades and gun parts were usually marked at that time post manufacture, and why so visible and variable in placing.

Btw I have another kaskara with the Amharic etched in the center fuller very like the examples you posted. Again, this has a lower quality local made guard and rather plain scabbard, with a Hadendoa tassle.

For both these swords I'd attributed it to individual blades moving west, but now seeing Marc's example it suggests that these blades could have been more than a one-off chance. Perhaps more organised late 19thC/early 20thC trade with Ethiopia for suitable blades, hence the poor quality local made fittings and not the better type usually seen on older kaskara. But you raise the idea that these were Ethiopian made if I understand your correctly.

Hi Chris
I think the numbers are stamped in when the blade was red hot, if you look close you see a double print of the numbers. Problably the first blow was oneven or not deep enough so a second blow was made.
Greetings
Marc

Marc M. · 28th December 2020, 04:41 PM

A picture of the swords in the collection.
Greetings
Marc

Jim McDougall · 29th December 2020, 03:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc M.

A picture of the swords in the collection.
Greetings
Marc

Im glad I could add information and thank you for sharing this.
Outstanding collection!!!! well represented pieces!!!

Marc M. · 30th December 2020, 08:16 AM

Hi Chris
I'm affraid i have that bug for more than 25 years and it is probably here to stay.
Greetings
Marc

Jim McDougall · 4th January 2021, 10:26 AM

Just going through notes, I found a reference to some blades made in Solingen for Cuban machetes which were by Luckhaus & Gunther from c. 1895-1900, and numbered at forte. There were several blades with numbers in sequence.
Perhaps blades going into Ethiopia (typically Harar) for kaskara, as the floral decorated examples might have been numbered in a similar manner.

Mefidk · 12th January 2021, 04:29 PM

Sorry, I've been unable to post for a while (thank you Jim for helping to sort it out).

I just wanted to concur that these blades turn up regularly in saif mounts and are identical in terms of floral pattern, lion and numbers (although numbers differ). So I think it is a fair bet that this is something similar to the late 19C shipment mentioned by Jim above.
Wrt to the lion - this is so similar that I would be surprised if these are made by multiple producers, but that the position was perhaps not considered critical, as long as it was there.

28th December 2020, 04:41 PM	#3
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 293	A picture of the swords in the collection. Greetings Marc Attached Images

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

28th December 2020, 07:07 AM	#1
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Hi Jim Thanks for the confirmation and the information posted before. I'm interested in the numbers - are the German blades you've seen matching this form of messy numbering on the ricasso? The process of making them must be interesting. They are not machine created but appear to be raised out of an uneven depression in the blade. Perhaps deeply acid etched like the fuller decoration, but not neatly done. I don't see an easy way to make it by stamps in this form, but could be possible I guess. I also wonder what they represent, batch numbers maybe. But it's really odd when you think of the way that blades and gun parts were usually marked at that time post manufacture, and why so visible and variable in placing. Btw I have another kaskara with the Amharic etched in the center fuller very like the examples you posted. Again, this has a lower quality local made guard and rather plain scabbard, with a Hadendoa tassle. For both these swords I'd attributed it to individual blades moving west, but now seeing Marc's example it suggests that these blades could have been more than a one-off chance. Perhaps more organised late 19thC/early 20thC trade with Ethiopia for suitable blades, hence the poor quality local made fittings and not the better type usually seen on older kaskara. But you raise the idea that these were Ethiopian made if I understand your correctly.

30th December 2020, 08:16 AM	#5
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 293	Hi Chris I'm affraid i have that bug for more than 25 years and it is probably here to stay. Greetings Marc

4th January 2021, 10:26 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,461	Just going through notes, I found a reference to some blades made in Solingen for Cuban machetes which were by Luckhaus & Gunther from c. 1895-1900, and numbered at forte. There were several blades with numbers in sequence. Perhaps blades going into Ethiopia (typically Harar) for kaskara, as the floral decorated examples might have been numbered in a similar manner.

12th January 2021, 04:29 PM	#7
Mefidk Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Denmark Posts: 157	Sorry, I've been unable to post for a while (thank you Jim for helping to sort it out). I just wanted to concur that these blades turn up regularly in saif mounts and are identical in terms of floral pattern, lion and numbers (although numbers differ). So I think it is a fair bet that this is something similar to the late 19C shipment mentioned by Jim above. Wrt to the lion - this is so similar that I would be surprised if these are made by multiple producers, but that the position was perhaps not considered critical, as long as it was there.