Quote:
Originally Posted by Edster
Jim,
The arc looks to me to be rinsed, perhaps an inlay rather than an indented/stamped mark. If correct to me that would place the mark into a "higher??" category of presentation and rarity. Also, do the dot go all the way through the blade & what if anything else is on the back side? Getting curiouser and curiouser.
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Thank you Ed, the dots are indented, not through.
What does rinse mean?
Higher category?
Curiouser and curioser
story of my life
Also note this sword originated in Ouagadougou. The leather wrapped hilt recalls the contiguous regions of Cameroon and Mali, especially Mali known for leather work with the Manding. With these regions of course having the availability of blades from French occupation, it heightens the use of saber type blades as found in the familiar Manding sabers.
With Tuareg pommel style and the other features brought together, it begs the question whether the 'aljuinar' style takouba is more prevalent in these West African areas of the Sahara.
Perhaps this marking is also somewhat indiginous to these areas as well?
Wondering if such markings ever turned up on Manding blades?
Pictured regular Manding saber of Mali, blade is unremarkable so unclear if trade or perhaps local? no markings.