Could anybody help with Id of the sword ?

Martin Lubojacky · 31st July 2010, 12:01 AM

The sword was bought in antique shop in Prague, I think it is comming from Sahara or Sahel (??)
There is copper dot at the top of the blade /going through the blade/.
Regards,
Martin

Mark · 31st July 2010, 12:07 AM

Sort of like a kaskara, sort of like a takouba. I've never seen one with an integrally welded cross-guard, though.

ericlaude · 31st July 2010, 12:17 AM

I think Takouba with free style hilt.

Battara · 31st July 2010, 02:38 AM

My thoughts too.......

Iain · 31st July 2010, 09:42 AM

Hi Martin,

First of all how do you find such things in Prague? :P The only stuff I ever see is beat up military sabres and fake katanas...

This sword I think is not from the Saharan regions. The decorative patterns and geometric shapes remind me very much of Poto or other Congolese area workmanship.

I would agree that the influences of the takouba form are fairly obvious but my best guess would be that this piece from the Congo or perhaps Cameroon?

I'd be interested in the views of those who collect the swords and knives of those areas as the decorative patterns really do remind me strongly of those pieces.

Martin Lubojacky · 31st July 2010, 12:42 PM

Thank you all. Because of the style of the hilt (leather strips) and dots on the crossguard I would also say it is comming from the arid region south of the Sahara (maybe north Cameroon, Chad). I think they did not use such leather strips for handes too much in equatorial regions. But the blade is really strange, and made of strange steel (it is not possible to polish it - it stays always grey or slightly dark, there are visible signs of folding)
(Dear ispn, there are cca 4 shops in Prague, where you can find such stuff, but only seldom, from time to time...)

31st July 2010, 12:01 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Could anybody help with Id of the sword ? The sword was bought in antique shop in Prague, I think it is comming from Sahara or Sahel (??) There is copper dot at the top of the blade /going through the blade/. Regards, Martin Attached Images

31st July 2010, 12:07 AM	#2
Mark Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 987	Sort of like a kaskara, sort of like a takouba. I've never seen one with an integrally welded cross-guard, though.

31st July 2010, 12:17 AM	#3
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	I think Takouba with free style hilt.

31st July 2010, 02:38 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	My thoughts too.......

31st July 2010, 09:42 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hi Martin, First of all how do you find such things in Prague? :P The only stuff I ever see is beat up military sabres and fake katanas... This sword I think is not from the Saharan regions. The decorative patterns and geometric shapes remind me very much of Poto or other Congolese area workmanship. I would agree that the influences of the takouba form are fairly obvious but my best guess would be that this piece from the Congo or perhaps Cameroon? I'd be interested in the views of those who collect the swords and knives of those areas as the decorative patterns really do remind me strongly of those pieces.

31st July 2010, 12:42 PM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Thank you all. Because of the style of the hilt (leather strips) and dots on the crossguard I would also say it is comming from the arid region south of the Sahara (maybe north Cameroon, Chad). I think they did not use such leather strips for handes too much in equatorial regions. But the blade is really strange, and made of strange steel (it is not possible to polish it - it stays always grey or slightly dark, there are visible signs of folding) (Dear ispn, there are cca 4 shops in Prague, where you can find such stuff, but only seldom, from time to time...)