Yes, it is takouba Lew, which is why I didn't have it pinned as Manding.
Very un-Tuareg takouba overall. Pointed tip, blade geometry is completely different edge geometry doesn't feature the heavily "ground back" look often found on Tuareg pieces, although it has obviously been sharpened many times. Very stiff blade but has some spring. Looks like it's seen some action and has an unfortunate crack in the blade which looks like it came from edge-on-edge contact.
But that comes with the territory of an older piece I guess. It's still structurally sound.
Leather on the hilt is one piece and bound with cord (Tuareg pieces are usually glued or stitched in two separate pieces for guard and handle). Swelled grip I'm 90% sure is wood underneath.
Overall it has a great balance in the hand and feels more like a gladius then the longer, more delicate feel of Tuareg pieces.
Here's a shot with a few more takouba for comparison.
