Takouba for coments ... and a question

[Lee]

Originally Posted by fernando

would it be possible/plausible that in some cases blades be acquired from trade sources (imported or so) with flat faces, and later have the three grooves ground, to follow local takouba tradition?

Those thin, narrow grooves are, in fact, features of the European trade blades of the 18th century and likely into the 19th century and are seen in other locally mounted swords throughout the world that use these blades.

The half-moons also started out on the European blades. Your blade is difficult to be certain of, origin wise. The quality of the half-moons is fairly good and they do appear more stamped than chiseled. So, without handling it, I am unsure as to whether this is a European blade or a carefully made local blade with added features from the trade blades. I flip back and forth as I look at it - but my attraction to this example remains unwavering. It is a nice example.

A stock-removal blade formed from sheet metal would, I suspect, likely not be earlier than the 20th century, although Briggs does show some examples retaining manufacturers stamps from presumed sheet stock. I have a sheet-metal bladed kaskara.