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Originally Posted by Iain
Hi Ibrahiim,
The mark, along with many other European crosses, is largely derived from the Greek cross and you can find many cross marks with either fork terminals, or straight, Maltese or many other designs. So I think there is some superficial similarities with all Coptic crosses. 
This blade and the marks are entirely European and I think the entry point into the Sahel is likely to have been Egypt or Tunisia. About dating I really hope it is 14th century as well and I see no reason at this point to think it is not.
Jim,
Brilliant as always! Very helpful material, Italian seems a very likely attribution. The idea of the blade moving with the Mamluks, either by trade or war, is a valid path to consider. My reason for suspecting an early date for the hilt is mainly the difference in construction and the pommel. If we use the two examples from 1830 as a benchmark and consider those styles in vogue for +/- 50 years, we are already back in the late 18th with those two swords. I think it is fairly reasonable then consider an 18th century date for this one. It is quite lucky for me this wasn't rehilted more recently!
Thinking about the Mamluk connection, it strikes as odd these haven't turned up in kaskara hilts as well... This was the pinnacle of the gold routes and large numbers of traders would have been moving with the great camel caravans. |
Salaams Iaian, What an interesting thread...!! I neither disagree nor agree if you see what I mean... for example the Maltese cross ... ok it is related but it is very different to the almost exact form of the cross in a 1500 year old Church in Jerusalem and the one on your sword! I suspect the earlier date illustrated by Jim in his reference quote :
"Lech Marek ("Early Medieval Swords from Eastern and Central Europe", 2005, p.47) notes 10th century swords from Slovakia with Greek cross inlaid in copper in the blade".
I see a situation where this sword has perhaps transmitted from Europe with pilgrims to Jerusalem thence via Ethiopian traders to Africa.... Ethiopia. It is one of the possibilities. There are others. Mine is the most fanciful!
I further fancied that the other sword mark
>-l--- was related to ancient Ethiopic or Greek script however after hours of comparison I cannot report any success with that theory moreover I suspect it is simply attempt at a second Coptic Cross which has stopped abruptly
>-l--- rather like my letter !
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.