Identifying my Takuoba
 

Well I would like to start off by wishing all members a very good day ! I have to admit this is my very first experience with forums and as such am very excited about being here.

I recently found after many years a Takouba which was given to me by a Touareg guard whilst I was working in Niamey in the early 9O's.

I believe it was one of his personal swords and was offered to me as a sign of friendship. I found this item again in storage and well was very interested in finding out a little more about it if at all possible.

So as a result I decided to join and see if there was anyone out there who might be able to help me determine a little more about its possible origins maybe age or in fact anything else at all I might be able to find out about it !

I have taken a few quick pictures and have posted them for anyone to try and assist me in my endeavor.

Will be extremely grateful for any input what so ever, regards Greg

Welcome on board Greg :D

indeed, very good katouba, with local forged blade,
recent production, but not obligatory for touristic market

Tuareg, they love for formal circumstances be dressed with their weapon,
and I think it's from this production that your katouba it's issued

I leave to the specialist "Iain", the detailed comments,
he is much more skilled than me :p

all the best

à +

Dom

one advice that I forgot, about of "katubas" in general
their scabbards are made of leather tolled,
mounted on a kind of cardboard
and need, from time to time, to be waxed
to don't become dry and brittle

à +

Dom

Thanks for the kind words Dom - I'm no expert just an enthusiast. :)

But I can give a few comments.

This looks like a newer takouba - probably the entire package dating from the 1970-1990s. Which would fit into when you got it.

The blade is probably older - it looks nicely made with well done moon stamps.

This style of pommel with the squared off edges on the stacks is indicative of newer mounts.

The same goes for the triangular scabbard mounts, older mounts have brass rings.

As Dom mentions, these are quite often re-hilted and fitted with new scabbards and leather work. So in short saying the sword is likely 1980s or 90s in its current state is not to say pieces like the blade are not significantly older.

Tuaregs as far as I'm aware still carry takouba as part of daily life and costume. Particularly I think for important social events such as camel markets. But no doubt you saw this yourself in Niger! :)

All the best,

Iain

Welcome to the forum Greg.
I like the sword - and I have nothing to add since I definitely cannot compete with Iain re Takoubas and similar swords .
I also spent a few years North Afriica and I brought Two takoubas from the Libyan part of the desert. They are not old, but nice memory - I´ll load the photos to the new thread.
Regards,
Martin