Older takouba
 

My most recent takouba, older style, Hausa/ nupe as far as I can tell from the many posts on the forum, especially Ian's. Crossguard is brass engraved on one side, with motif often recurring. The other side is steel also engraved. The oval pommel is of the older type. Handle wrapped with leather. No scabbard.
A good steel blade with a good flex, the fullers are forged.
As always, the last 30 cm to the point are sharp. Dukari on each side of the blade, very well executed with a stamp. On one side a dukari is gone probably due to intesive grinding/cleaning.
Estimate age probably of second half 19th century/early 20th century. Very happy with it, I don't seem to come across them very often. Also the first takouba with the classic 3 fullers.
Regards
Marc

Very nice! I agree with your dating, and based on the crispiness of the stamps and the fullers it looks like a European trade blade to me, not a locally made one.

One of the nicest examples I've seen in a while! Totally 'textbook' form, motif, blade..........entirely agree with date span.

Hi Teodor
I had a suspicion that the blade is European because of its quality. Always nice to have it confirmed.
Regards
Marc

Hi Jim
Thank you very much.
Regards
Marc

Green with envy
 

Very nice indeed. I also concur with your dating above.

The blade is European in my view, the fullering is good enough, the stamps as with most of these are cold stamped and could have been done in Africa.

I'd actually date the sword a bit earlier given the oval form of the pommel, its very safely 19th century and I suspect is probably more towards the late 18th century.

Thanks for the confirmation and sharpening the dating.
Regards
Marc