Genuine crusader blade?

Martin Lubojacky · 31st October 2008, 09:37 AM

Hello Jim,

I have several Takoubas an Kaskaras, all of them I bought in their countries of origin. When I saw this sword (I mean with exactly the same hilt) in Tunisia, I was hasitating if to buy it or not and I did nit take it from two reasons: first of all it was not complete (without the sheath) and secondly - my feeling - at that time - was, that this kind of hilt was "unnatural" (it is all made fof wood, even the crossguard, covered with copper plates). After the time I changed my opinion, but I did not find the sword again. When some of my friends travel to the South Arabian countries like Yemen etc (unfortunately I heve never been there), I always ask them to make photos of swords in antique shops - you will not find such hilts there.

The mounting of the sheath resembles the mountings on Yemeni Saifs sheaths etc., but this is style has been practised e.g. by Berbers silversmiths on Djerba, too. The motif is cmommon on South - Mediterranean coast (maybe hand of "Chmesa"), also exactly the same ornamental frame you can find on Berber bracelets. The residues of leather strips on the sheath resembles gripping of Takouba (not Kaskara) sheats.

This is just my observation.

Regards,

Martin

katana · 31st October 2008, 05:47 PM

Interesting sword ......for future reference of this thread, I 've posted a few pictures.

Regards David
.

Jim McDougall · 31st October 2008, 09:13 PM

Thank you so much David! I'm glad you thought of that, as the ebay photos will disappear, so its good to have these illustrations to maintain the thread for future reference. This is really an unusual piece, and I think it will be good to continue researching, maybe another example might turn up.

Very good points Martin, and I think perhaps the sword might be likely associated more to Berber craftsmanship as you note, and even into Tuareg regions which of course cover vast geotribal areas of the Sahara. The techniques of metalworkers from Arabia or Maghrebi trade regions of course would have close connections. As noted, the tall conical pommel is recognizable as a feature on the takoubas of Niger. The diffusion of these weapons in trade route traffic in either direction makes any defined regional assignment for this piece improbable, unless other like examples are found with provenance.

All best regards,
Jim

31st October 2008, 05:47 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Interesting sword ......for future reference of this thread, I 've posted a few pictures. Regards David . Attached Images

31st October 2008, 09:37 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 844	Hello Jim, I have several Takoubas an Kaskaras, all of them I bought in their countries of origin. When I saw this sword (I mean with exactly the same hilt) in Tunisia, I was hasitating if to buy it or not and I did nit take it from two reasons: first of all it was not complete (without the sheath) and secondly - my feeling - at that time - was, that this kind of hilt was "unnatural" (it is all made fof wood, even the crossguard, covered with copper plates). After the time I changed my opinion, but I did not find the sword again. When some of my friends travel to the South Arabian countries like Yemen etc (unfortunately I heve never been there), I always ask them to make photos of swords in antique shops - you will not find such hilts there. The mounting of the sheath resembles the mountings on Yemeni Saifs sheaths etc., but this is style has been practised e.g. by Berbers silversmiths on Djerba, too. The motif is cmommon on South - Mediterranean coast (maybe hand of "Chmesa"), also exactly the same ornamental frame you can find on Berber bracelets. The residues of leather strips on the sheath resembles gripping of Takouba (not Kaskara) sheats. This is just my observation. Regards, Martin

31st October 2008, 09:13 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,454	Thank you so much David! I'm glad you thought of that, as the ebay photos will disappear, so its good to have these illustrations to maintain the thread for future reference. This is really an unusual piece, and I think it will be good to continue researching, maybe another example might turn up. Very good points Martin, and I think perhaps the sword might be likely associated more to Berber craftsmanship as you note, and even into Tuareg regions which of course cover vast geotribal areas of the Sahara. The techniques of metalworkers from Arabia or Maghrebi trade regions of course would have close connections. As noted, the tall conical pommel is recognizable as a feature on the takoubas of Niger. The diffusion of these weapons in trade route traffic in either direction makes any defined regional assignment for this piece improbable, unless other like examples are found with provenance. All best regards, Jim