Building a Kaskara

Half Moon · 24th August 2010, 12:04 AM

WOW! Rick and Lee those help a lot. I feel like Leeuwenhoek looking through a microscope for the first time.

The fabric wrapping looks interesting. I wonder if it was not only cheap, but acted like plywood? The several layers making a stronger loop.

Rick, on your scabbard, does it look as if the mount is over wrapped by the main leather covering (under the lighter band), or does the main covering abut the mount, similar to how Lee‘s middle scabbard looks?

I’m still not sure about the pommel though. What’s under the plug on the end? Or is that the end of the handle? The disc appears to be leather wrapped?

True thanks for some great info,
Wallace

Rick · 24th August 2010, 04:14 AM

Hi Wallace,

The leather sheath cover overlaps the thicker suspension ring band .
I would damage it if I pulled it back .

The suspension rings on this scabbard are triangular in cross section and probably German Silver , decorated and welded or soldered .

I'm as confused as you about the hilt construction; the pommel does seem a ring most likely wood . How they wrapped and capped it on the hilt I just cannot figure out; but, at least you have a picture .

Here is a link to the complete sword .
http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1967

Rick

fearn · 24th August 2010, 06:15 AM

Hi Rick,

Is the pommel something like a washer, nailed on (or peened on) to the hilt? That would work, if the blade had a rat-tailed tang and didn't go all the way through the hilt, and the pommel was stuck on with the equivalent of a tack, perhaps also holding the wrap in place..

One thing to think about is that the Saharans traditionally didn't have much wood to work with, so it makes sense that they would use fabric (especially wool) and leather to make as much of the piece as possible.

Best,

F

Rick · 24th August 2010, 02:58 PM

Hi Fearn, I have no idea how the pommel was finessed on there; all is covered with leather and I can't see any tacks .

Lew · 24th August 2010, 03:21 PM

The pommel has a peg or nail that is inserted sideways through the hilt.

katana · 24th August 2010, 04:58 PM

Hi Wallace,
you'll find this picture (xray) quite useful

Originally posted by Stephen Wood......

Regards David

Lee · 24th August 2010, 09:46 PM

I have found obvious cross-pins securing the hilt on two kaskara hilts (seen in the top picture below); another which has lost its leather covering and is bare wood (not shown) has no evidence of one.

The bottom picture shows two hilts where the pommel appears to be made up of layers of wound leather.

24th August 2010, 04:58 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Wallace, you'll find this picture (xray) quite useful Originally posted by Stephen Wood...... Regards David Attached Images

24th August 2010, 09:46 PM	#7
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	I have found obvious cross-pins securing the hilt on two kaskara hilts (seen in the top picture below); another which has lost its leather covering and is bare wood (not shown) has no evidence of one. The bottom picture shows two hilts where the pommel appears to be made up of layers of wound leather. Attached Images

24th August 2010, 12:04 AM	#1
Half Moon Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Arizona Posts: 6	WOW! Rick and Lee those help a lot. I feel like Leeuwenhoek looking through a microscope for the first time. The fabric wrapping looks interesting. I wonder if it was not only cheap, but acted like plywood? The several layers making a stronger loop. Rick, on your scabbard, does it look as if the mount is over wrapped by the main leather covering (under the lighter band), or does the main covering abut the mount, similar to how Lee‘s middle scabbard looks? I’m still not sure about the pommel though. What’s under the plug on the end? Or is that the end of the handle? The disc appears to be leather wrapped? True thanks for some great info, Wallace

24th August 2010, 04:14 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Wallace, The leather sheath cover overlaps the thicker suspension ring band . I would damage it if I pulled it back . The suspension rings on this scabbard are triangular in cross section and probably German Silver , decorated and welded or soldered . I'm as confused as you about the hilt construction; the pommel does seem a ring most likely wood . How they wrapped and capped it on the hilt I just cannot figure out; but, at least you have a picture . Here is a link to the complete sword . http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1967 Rick

24th August 2010, 06:15 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Hi Rick, Is the pommel something like a washer, nailed on (or peened on) to the hilt? That would work, if the blade had a rat-tailed tang and didn't go all the way through the hilt, and the pommel was stuck on with the equivalent of a tack, perhaps also holding the wrap in place.. One thing to think about is that the Saharans traditionally didn't have much wood to work with, so it makes sense that they would use fabric (especially wool) and leather to make as much of the piece as possible. Best, F

24th August 2010, 02:58 PM	#4
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Fearn, I have no idea how the pommel was finessed on there; all is covered with leather and I can't see any tacks .

24th August 2010, 03:21 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The pommel has a peg or nail that is inserted sideways through the hilt.