Help identifying kaskara

[randallstorey]

Hello everyone and a thanks in advance for any advice to a first time poster.

I bought the kaskara shown in the photos in the late 1980s and after coming across this forum thought that someone may be able to provide some detailed info on it.

Underneath the tang the number 557 is stamped in arabic numerals within a rectangular indentation. The number might be 857 or 357, and this photo shows it from the right hand side where i believe you can see the last two numbers, five and seven.

Two fullers running about 80% length of the blade. The text within them is raised (i assume this isnt done bas relief so was wondering how). The text repeats only a few characters over and over, those being 'II' 'I' and combinations of a paranthses and greater/lesser than symbols, for example (> or >). I do not know how clear that has come across in the photos and am not sure my unsteady hands will allow much better, but obviously willing to try on request.

I am a professional medievalists (my website is medievalstudies.co.uk) and am under no illusion about the origins of this kaskara, but what a strong, sharp, well made thing it is. I told Lee upon joining, this is the closest I'm likely to come to owning a medieval long sword!

[Jim McDougall]

Hi Randall,
Welcome to the forum, and thank you so much for posting a kaskara! As you have noted, there are of course distinct similarities to these broadswords of the Sudan and those of medieval Europe. Actually many 'medieval' broadswords have been created using old kaskara blades brought back from the campaigns in the Sudan over a hundred years ago, as described by Ewart Oakeshott in some of his works. Though there are occasionally European blades found in the actual examples in North Africa, most are trade blades from Germany of early 19th century to about 1870s.

I hope you can try to get more detailed photos, especially of the markings on this example. You have amazing patience having had this sword since the 1980s!!! my curiosity would have had the best of me the next day!!!
I do think that what you have is a most interesting example in that the fullering seems of more desirable type of these blades of latter 19th century form, and these markings are intriguing.

Thank you for joining us, and look forward to more pics!

Best regards,
Jim

[randallstorey]

I've tried again but that's the limit with my phone's camera, it just wont focus any more clearly at that distance. The scripts run the full lengths of both fullers on both sides of the blade. It is hard to tell if it is a full arabic script as some of it is covered by corrosion and much is worn down. I can never be certain that I am seeing a more varied script than a few symbols because much is covered by corrosion, much is worn smooth and various pits and disfigurements in the metal blend in with the script.

I am infatuated with it, but only had Stone available to me at the time in Oklahoma. When I moved to England in the 1990s i was able to focus on medieval armaments and never cared to know more about this until now. Nineteenth/twentieth century Sudanese was enough for me even though I was working in collaboration with the Royal Amouries and they offered to look at it for me! i dont think I wanted to share it, it was mine all mine, until now

[Dom]

Originally Posted by randallstorey

Underneath the tang the number 557 is stamped in arabic numerals within a rectangular indentation. The number might be 857 or 357, and this photo shows it from the right hand side where i believe you can see the last two numbers, five and seven.

Two fullers running about 80% length of the blade. The text within them is raised (i assume this isnt done bas relief so was wondering how). The text repeats only a few characters over and over, those being 'II' 'I' and combinations of a paranthses and greater/lesser than symbols, for example (> or >). I do not know how clear that has come across in the photos and am not sure my unsteady hands will allow much better, but obviously willing to try on request.

Welcome on board "randallstorey"
too kind from you, if you offer us, other photos taken with "focus"
your signs > and > could be a digits ... 7 and 8 ...
also, you've to take in consideration, that Sudan is particularly affected with the talismanic effect, as many other Muslim countries
these signs might be to conjure the evil eye
if I've pics with better resolution, I should be more formal
best regards

à +

Dom

ps/ please before next Saturday,
I'll flew to Cairo for several months,
and my library ... will remains in Paris

[Shimmerxxx]

That's a beautiful kaskara you have there, I hope you are able to get hold of a digital camera that shoots macro photos so we can see the details.

As you probably already know the best results are usually given by shooting outside but out of direct sunlight.

I look forward to seeing any further pictures you are able to take.

[Iain]

Hi Randall,

Having browsed your website in the past - very nice to have you here! Better photos will certainly help (try some pictures in daylight and outside, it should reduce the blur and shake issues) but I’ll try to add a few comments for a start.

This appears to be a very good quality kaskara with a European blade – the hilt with the flared tips is typical of older mounts. The most interesting aspect of the sword is the blade – two fullers is not typical for kaskara blades or European trade blades found in them. Usually three small fullers or one large fuller are encountered.

The only blades close to the region I can think off that feature this configuration are some Ethiopian saifs with imported blades. What is the length of your blade and is there a ricasso? The Ethiopian blades often feature extensive floral patterns in the same raised style you are describing.
Looking forward to more photos and helping to solve what this blade is and where it came from!

All the best,
Iain

(PS: Don’t lose hope for owning a real medieval blade in an African sword… )

[randallstorey]

Thanks for the offers to help.

A more accurate description of the blade is
835mm long
39mm at widest point before tapering slightly near shoulders
fullers each 6mm wide and extend 560mm beginning 60mm down from the guard ricasso both sides of the blade extending 140-145mm.

I've included two more photos, one shows the 857 stamped near the shoulders but not obscured by the crossguard this time.

The other I hope is a better shot of the script. I had a professor of mine who studied Near East ancient history at Harvard take a look at it long ago and he too thought the script as such was glyphs and/or abbreviations which he did not recognised based on the limited number of characters throughout and the short patterns of repeating these characters interspersed frequently with vertical lines (ie the 'I' and 'II'), the latter I do not know if they are indeed characters, punctuation or decoration.

I was not hoping for anyone to try to decipher the script I was more hoping that someone would recognise its kind, but whatever can be gleaned is appreciated.

[A.alnakkas]

hey mate,

I can see some decent Arab script there. Proper clear shots and maybe me and Dom can translate it :-)

[randallstorey]

Ok thanks, might have access to better camera this Friday.

It is so humbling to be faced with a language which i cant even describe and do not have enough time to learn even the names of its basic characters! No wonder I remained quiet about it for so long haha.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by randallstorey

Hello everyone and a thanks in advance for any advice to a first time poster.

I bought the kaskara shown in the photos in the late 1980s and after coming across this forum thought that someone may be able to provide some detailed info on it.

Underneath the tang the number 557 is stamped in arabic numerals within a rectangular indentation. The number might be 857 or 357, and this photo shows it from the right hand side where i believe you can see the last two numbers, five and seven.

Two fullers running about 80% length of the blade. The text within them is raised (i assume this isnt done bas relief so was wondering how). The text repeats only a few characters over and over, those being 'II' 'I' and combinations of a paranthses and greater/lesser than symbols, for example (> or >). I do not know how clear that has come across in the photos and am not sure my unsteady hands will allow much better, but obviously willing to try on request.

I am a professional medievalists (my website is medievalstudies.co.uk) and am under no illusion about the origins of this kaskara, but what a strong, sharp, well made thing it is. I told Lee upon joining, this is the closest I'm likely to come to owning a medieval long sword!

Salaams Randallstorey, These blades really do look medieval.. They appear on all sorts of hilts from Sudan, Ethiopia and Red Sea regions. I collected one with an Indian hilt and another from Saudia.

See post number #48 on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hiopian+swords for examples of blades on Ethiopian swords.

Some have a lion with a flag on the ricasso(Luckhaus and Gunther) and these and others are scripted and/or florally decorated down the entire blade often with two channels. Indeed Germany was largely responsible for the vast quantities of blades that flooded into Africa in the 18th and 19th Centuries.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Lee]

Here is another image of a double fullered Ethiopian blade remounted in a style, I am told, consistent with work from Sanaa (unfortunately, search as I can, I cannot find the thread where this whole sword was discussed).

[randallstorey]

Oh that's gorgeous isnt it. Do you know if it is that etching or engraving?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Lee

Here is another image of a double fullered Ethiopian blade remounted in a style, I am told, consistent with work from Sanaa (unfortunately, search as I can, I cannot find the thread where this whole sword was discussed).

Salaams Lee ~ Please see #48 on http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showt...thiopian+swords
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[randallstorey]

2 high quality photos

[Richard G]

Good Afternoon Randall,
I think Lee might be on the right track. I have a feeling these marks, which seem to be partly erased, may mean something in Amharic or another Ethiopian language. With a little imagination you can see a similarity to the inscription on this tray. Can anyone confirm this is an Ethiopian language, or even a language at all, and if so what it says?
Many thanks
Richard

[Dom]

Thanks for these interesting pics
unfortunately, no one Arabic letter has been determinated

I have been to have a look on Ethiopian/Nubian/Eritrean alphabet
the Ge'ez alphabet here attached (but I haven't time to analyse correctly)
has may be (?) some similitudes with the blade's inscriptions

apparently, I didn't saw a single date, even digit ??

I saw nothing, could be attributed to some talismanic practices
anyway, really amazing and gorgeous kaskara

all the best

à +

Dom