Dagger - Taureg?

blue lander · 11th January 2014, 03:38 PM

I did wonder if it was a tourist piece... neither the blade or handle look very functional. Plus there seems to be a lot of identically decorated Takouba and dagger sheaths/scabbards. But it looks very weather worn so I assumed it was authentic but modern. Maybe they're making these for tourists and then carrying them around to age them?

blue lander · 17th January 2014, 11:11 PM

It finally arrived today. It looks like there used to be another piece going around the end of the hilt. The blade's definitely of the scrap metal variety, but it's pretty sharp and there's a pattern etched around the edges. The tip looks broken off and the area around the tip is bent. The sheath looks just like my takouba sheath. The green bits behind that metal band are just a green color piece of fabric. I assume there was a metal end piece to it at some point.There's odd dots on the brass belt ring. Considering the amount of wear and tear on the sheath I'd be suprised to hear it's a tourist dagger. Besides the usual signs of wear there's a couple cuts on the leather. Unless it was aged intentionally.

Sajen · 18th January 2014, 01:08 PM

I am not very firm by this area of collecting but I don't think that this dagger is a "tourist" dagger, like you I see that there are clear signs of excessive use. And the tourist daggers are much more fancy IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

blue lander · 19th January 2014, 02:31 AM

Unless I see evidence otherwise I'm happy to consider this a legit but very modern piece. Comparing the sheath to my Takouba scabbard, the leather on the dagger sheath is much shinier. I guess it spent less time in the desert.

Martin Lubojacky · 19th January 2014, 11:49 AM

Hi blue lander,
Maybe I am wrong, but I am of the opinion it is not a very modern piece. I think it is what we could call "contemporary", maybe from seventies. As Sajen already wrote, very modern (and touristic) would really be more fancy. This was made for use. The shining scabbard could also mean, that it was used extensively (again as Sajen mentioned; polished by contact with clothing and unwashed hands), not only that it is new. Shinier scabbard should be a "positive" sign. You have authentic artefact, not a souvenier.
Martin

Iain · 19th January 2014, 01:46 PM

To add to Martin's points, the heavy brass ring on the scabbard is a very good sign this is not entirely new. 21st century items typically have white metal or aluminium instead.

While this is certainly a 20th century item, it is authentic I think as well.

blue lander · 21st January 2014, 02:47 PM

Thanks all - pleased that it's the real deal. I never considered that shiny leather was a sign of age, but that makes sense now that you explain it.

17th January 2014, 11:11 PM	#2
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	It finally arrived today. It looks like there used to be another piece going around the end of the hilt. The blade's definitely of the scrap metal variety, but it's pretty sharp and there's a pattern etched around the edges. The tip looks broken off and the area around the tip is bent. The sheath looks just like my takouba sheath. The green bits behind that metal band are just a green color piece of fabric. I assume there was a metal end piece to it at some point.There's odd dots on the brass belt ring. Considering the amount of wear and tear on the sheath I'd be suprised to hear it's a tourist dagger. Besides the usual signs of wear there's a couple cuts on the leather. Unless it was aged intentionally. Attached Images

11th January 2014, 03:38 PM	#1
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	I did wonder if it was a tourist piece... neither the blade or handle look very functional. Plus there seems to be a lot of identically decorated Takouba and dagger sheaths/scabbards. But it looks very weather worn so I assumed it was authentic but modern. Maybe they're making these for tourists and then carrying them around to age them?

18th January 2014, 01:08 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,214	I am not very firm by this area of collecting but I don't think that this dagger is a "tourist" dagger, like you I see that there are clear signs of excessive use. And the tourist daggers are much more fancy IMHO. Regards, Detlef

19th January 2014, 02:31 AM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Unless I see evidence otherwise I'm happy to consider this a legit but very modern piece. Comparing the sheath to my Takouba scabbard, the leather on the dagger sheath is much shinier. I guess it spent less time in the desert.

19th January 2014, 11:49 AM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi blue lander, Maybe I am wrong, but I am of the opinion it is not a very modern piece. I think it is what we could call "contemporary", maybe from seventies. As Sajen already wrote, very modern (and touristic) would really be more fancy. This was made for use. The shining scabbard could also mean, that it was used extensively (again as Sajen mentioned; polished by contact with clothing and unwashed hands), not only that it is new. Shinier scabbard should be a "positive" sign. You have authentic artefact, not a souvenier. Martin

19th January 2014, 01:46 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	To add to Martin's points, the heavy brass ring on the scabbard is a very good sign this is not entirely new. 21st century items typically have white metal or aluminium instead. While this is certainly a 20th century item, it is authentic I think as well.

21st January 2014, 02:47 PM	#7
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Thanks all - pleased that it's the real deal. I never considered that shiny leather was a sign of age, but that makes sense now that you explain it.