Another Kaskara i have

Jack Fletcher · 18th December 2021, 12:21 PM

Thought I might aswell post pictures of the other kaskara/sudanese weapons i have on the group.

This one has a 34.5inch blade, the fullers are well formed and the crescent moon markings on the blade are well stamped.
Compared to the other example I posted it has abit more weight to it, blades a little more rigid and has nicks down the length of the blade on both sides. The cross guard again compared to the other is more sturdy in construction especially the langets.

Again unsure of age but it definitely appears older and better quality than the previous example I posted.

All comments welcome and do you think its better me to post the other examples one at a time or all of them instead of making new threads for each?

Jack

Ian · 18th December 2021, 01:33 PM

Hi Jack,

Another nice kaskara. this one looks older than your previous example and the blade is probably European in manufacture.

As far as posting more of your kaskara, single or multiple threads is fine. Most people post multiple examples of similar swords in the same thread. From an Archive perspective, it is easier to find them when they are in one thread. Try to label your pictures so that we know which sword is being discussed.

Ian.

Edster · 18th December 2021, 02:47 PM

Jack,

Nice older kaskara. Blade most likely imported, pre-Mahdiya. Has older style 4-piece welded crossguard. Mahdiya era blades often had roughly engraved characters and text, but many Sudanese tribes, especially the Jaa'lin (sic) from the Nile Valley didn't support the cause. Look under the langets for possible maker's marks.

The paired moon faces don't look to be Kassala maker's marks. Here is a thread on moon faces. Sometimes they can be diagnostic. Jim is very knowledgeable on them among his wide expertise.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19794

Eager to see your other kaskara and explore what stories they may have to tell.

Best,
Ed

drac2k · 18th December 2021, 02:58 PM

Two questions for my own clarification; are the pieces welded together where the 4 triangular pieces intersect on the central dot? Is this a viable way to determine an older four-piece guard and have these markings been falsely imitated by some to make these swords appear older than they are?

Jack Fletcher · 18th December 2021, 03:32 PM

Really appreciate the replies and information Ian and Ed and glad my suspicious were correct in it being older and slowly learning from the likes of you both what I need to look for in 19th Century kaskaras.

The collection so far has the 2 kaskaras I've posted, another that has script on the blade and from a translation I was given dated 1239 in Hijri years so around 1823 our calendar.
I also have a full size kaskara with a full juvenile crocodile scabbard, small ceremonial looking sword with brass crossguard and script on the blade with croc skin handle, 2 daggers and a double headed axe with script and what looks like lizard skin handle plus 2 shields. Ive also recently bought a remington rolling block in .43 Egyptian that still hasn't arrived yet.

mariusgmioc · 18th December 2021, 04:33 PM

Hello,

I have some doubts pertaining the European origin of the blade, so maybe somebody can provide more explanations as I am quite curious to learn more.

Specifically, I noticed three things that somehow raised my doubts:

1. the two smaller fullers of unequal length (see red arrows);
2. the main fuller not very straight (see green arrow);
3. the scandi grind (see blue arrows).

18th December 2021, 12:21 PM	#1
Jack Fletcher Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 28	Another Kaskara i have Thought I might aswell post pictures of the other kaskara/sudanese weapons i have on the group. This one has a 34.5inch blade, the fullers are well formed and the crescent moon markings on the blade are well stamped. Compared to the other example I posted it has abit more weight to it, blades a little more rigid and has nicks down the length of the blade on both sides. The cross guard again compared to the other is more sturdy in construction especially the langets. Again unsure of age but it definitely appears older and better quality than the previous example I posted. All comments welcome and do you think its better me to post the other examples one at a time or all of them instead of making new threads for each? Jack Attached Images

18th December 2021, 04:33 PM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Hello, I have some doubts pertaining the European origin of the blade, so maybe somebody can provide more explanations as I am quite curious to learn more. Specifically, I noticed three things that somehow raised my doubts: 1. the two smaller fullers of unequal length (see red arrows); 2. the main fuller not very straight (see green arrow); 3. the scandi grind (see blue arrows). Attached Images

18th December 2021, 01:33 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Hi Jack, Another nice kaskara. this one looks older than your previous example and the blade is probably European in manufacture. As far as posting more of your kaskara, single or multiple threads is fine. Most people post multiple examples of similar swords in the same thread. From an Archive perspective, it is easier to find them when they are in one thread. Try to label your pictures so that we know which sword is being discussed. Ian.

18th December 2021, 02:47 PM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Jack, Nice older kaskara. Blade most likely imported, pre-Mahdiya. Has older style 4-piece welded crossguard. Mahdiya era blades often had roughly engraved characters and text, but many Sudanese tribes, especially the Jaa'lin (sic) from the Nile Valley didn't support the cause. Look under the langets for possible maker's marks. The paired moon faces don't look to be Kassala maker's marks. Here is a thread on moon faces. Sometimes they can be diagnostic. Jim is very knowledgeable on them among his wide expertise. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=19794 Eager to see your other kaskara and explore what stories they may have to tell. Best, Ed

18th December 2021, 02:58 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Two questions for my own clarification; are the pieces welded together where the 4 triangular pieces intersect on the central dot? Is this a viable way to determine an older four-piece guard and have these markings been falsely imitated by some to make these swords appear older than they are?

18th December 2021, 03:32 PM	#5
Jack Fletcher Member Join Date: Jul 2021 Posts: 28	Really appreciate the replies and information Ian and Ed and glad my suspicious were correct in it being older and slowly learning from the likes of you both what I need to look for in 19th Century kaskaras. The collection so far has the 2 kaskaras I've posted, another that has script on the blade and from a translation I was given dated 1239 in Hijri years so around 1823 our calendar. I also have a full size kaskara with a full juvenile crocodile scabbard, small ceremonial looking sword with brass crossguard and script on the blade with croc skin handle, 2 daggers and a double headed axe with script and what looks like lizard skin handle plus 2 shields. Ive also recently bought a remington rolling block in .43 Egyptian that still hasn't arrived yet.