Sudanese kaskara - Arabic translation request

[Edster]

Colin,

Another thought on your sword. The photo that Lew posted of the cross-guard. Could it be cast? The surface looks a little grainy, the ""blade catcher" looks more integral to the cross-guard than a forge welded piece, and the flats and edges look too sharp to be blacksmith work, unless of extraordinary skill. Its probably just the way the light shines on it. I've never seen a cast cross-guard on a kaskara. Are you aware of any?

Also, the grip wrap looks fairly recent and in the Nile Valley style. Likely a modernation of a high end traditional presentation sword.

Regards,
Ed

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Edster

Colin,

Another thought on your sword. The photo that Lew posted of the cross-guard. Could it be cast? The surface looks a little grainy, the ""blade catcher" looks more integral to the cross-guard than a forge welded piece, and the flats and edges look too sharp to be blacksmith work, unless of extraordinary skill. Its probably just the way the light shines on it. I've never seen a cast cross-guard on a kaskara. Are you aware of any?

Also, the grip wrap looks fairly recent and in the Nile Valley style. Likely a modernation of a high end traditional presentation sword.

Regards,
Ed

Ed, great observations, and I agree I cant think of any cast kaskara guards, however I have seen a good number with brass guards. Have you picked up any detail on the use of brass as opposed to the iron guards?

Also, it seems when we talked you mentioned certain smiths using certain stamps or marks and I wondered about this unusual form which is of course more like a lion..I was thinking perhaps like the Lion of Judah seen in Abyssinian blades as possible influence.

Its good to have you posting on these kaskara!!

All best regards,
Jim