Unusual takouba

Iain · 23rd May 2015, 12:01 PM

This one just joined me. Unusual for a few reasons.

The hilt features an additional brass loop (almost European rain guard like in form) on the guard.

The blade is an old European single edged design remounted with a locally made forte. Very thick and sturdy as is usual with these mounts. The blade was modified to be double edged.

And lastly the mounts, pommel and scabbard are all reasonably old. This sword came out of France and was likely a colonial bring back.

I'm very pleased with it, while they are a bit odd, I quite enjoy what I usually call the "sandwich" mount style and this one features more decoration than most.

The blade has an interesting array of marks as well.

Iain · 23rd May 2015, 12:02 PM

More images.

Iain · 23rd May 2015, 06:14 PM

Couple more images I forgot the first time around.

David R · 23rd May 2015, 08:57 PM

How is the reinforce attached, blind riveted, soldered or welded?

Iain · 23rd May 2015, 09:06 PM

They are usually pinned, but this one has no visible pins. Certainly not soldered. May be forge welded.

They usually employ this style of splitting a single piece of steel for the forte and inserting the blade.

CharlesS · 23rd May 2015, 10:01 PM

Thanks for posting Iain. I never cease to be amazed where these European blades end up. There must have been quite a market for them in the day!

Jim McDougall · 23rd May 2015, 10:06 PM

Excellent example Iain!!! and as always these blades are a challenge.
I am inclined to support possible Indian attribution to this blade, mostly to the curious arrangement of markings. The 'inscription' in the fuller appears to be some sort of approximation of the acrostic invocations and slogans often seen on early Italian blades and later the similar system of separation of letters in names etc. with dots, crosses or devices used in Germany/Toledo.
These seem to be 'A's punctuated with 'twig' marks (began in Italy 16th c., see Mann, 1962, p.255, Wallace Coll.).
The mark at blade edge resembles German adaptions of these covered by a disc latter 16th c. (op, cit. A535). ....often accompanied by the 'sickle' marks.

What is unusual are the 'twigs' between the 'A's (usually used elsewhere in marking in European context); the double use of the 'sickles' flanking the 'inscription'; and the placement of the sickle/disc near the blade edge (usually not in such location on European blades).

I would think this could very well be Indian interpretation of 'firangi' blades as used in their 'khanda' basket hilts....but of course could be German 'blank' stamped by Indian artisans. In any case, the blade likely filtered through Indian entrepots before entering Red Sea routes.

I always think these 'rainguard' type extensions on some North African swords are fascinating (I cant recall whether it occurs on kaskara)..and begs the question of direct influence of fully mounted European swords there in earlier times. It does not seem that a decorative 'langet' fits typical style for these swords in native parlance.

On the 'sandwich' extension covering upper section of blade. Was there a purpose for these? It seems to suggest bolstering of the blade but then the effect may be as with the 'langet' simply decorative?

Examples like these become perfect prompts for seeking answers to these kinds of questions, as well as continued study of blade traffic into these regions.

Thank you so much Iain for your continued and tenacious study on these, and especially for sharing them here. I hope others with similar featured examples might enter them as well.

All best regards,
Jim

23rd May 2015, 12:01 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Unusual takouba This one just joined me. Unusual for a few reasons. The hilt features an additional brass loop (almost European rain guard like in form) on the guard. The blade is an old European single edged design remounted with a locally made forte. Very thick and sturdy as is usual with these mounts. The blade was modified to be double edged. And lastly the mounts, pommel and scabbard are all reasonably old. This sword came out of France and was likely a colonial bring back. I'm very pleased with it, while they are a bit odd, I quite enjoy what I usually call the "sandwich" mount style and this one features more decoration than most. The blade has an interesting array of marks as well. Attached Images

23rd May 2015, 12:02 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	More images. Attached Images

23rd May 2015, 06:14 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Couple more images I forgot the first time around. Attached Images

23rd May 2015, 08:57 PM	#4
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	How is the reinforce attached, blind riveted, soldered or welded?

23rd May 2015, 09:06 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	They are usually pinned, but this one has no visible pins. Certainly not soldered. May be forge welded. They usually employ this style of splitting a single piece of steel for the forte and inserting the blade.

23rd May 2015, 10:01 PM	#6
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Thanks for posting Iain. I never cease to be amazed where these European blades end up. There must have been quite a market for them in the day!

23rd May 2015, 10:06 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,942	Excellent example Iain!!! and as always these blades are a challenge. I am inclined to support possible Indian attribution to this blade, mostly to the curious arrangement of markings. The 'inscription' in the fuller appears to be some sort of approximation of the acrostic invocations and slogans often seen on early Italian blades and later the similar system of separation of letters in names etc. with dots, crosses or devices used in Germany/Toledo. These seem to be 'A's punctuated with 'twig' marks (began in Italy 16th c., see Mann, 1962, p.255, Wallace Coll.). The mark at blade edge resembles German adaptions of these covered by a disc latter 16th c. (op, cit. A535). ....often accompanied by the 'sickle' marks. What is unusual are the 'twigs' between the 'A's (usually used elsewhere in marking in European context); the double use of the 'sickles' flanking the 'inscription'; and the placement of the sickle/disc near the blade edge (usually not in such location on European blades). I would think this could very well be Indian interpretation of 'firangi' blades as used in their 'khanda' basket hilts....but of course could be German 'blank' stamped by Indian artisans. In any case, the blade likely filtered through Indian entrepots before entering Red Sea routes. I always think these 'rainguard' type extensions on some North African swords are fascinating (I cant recall whether it occurs on kaskara)..and begs the question of direct influence of fully mounted European swords there in earlier times. It does not seem that a decorative 'langet' fits typical style for these swords in native parlance. On the 'sandwich' extension covering upper section of blade. Was there a purpose for these? It seems to suggest bolstering of the blade but then the effect may be as with the 'langet' simply decorative? Examples like these become perfect prompts for seeking answers to these kinds of questions, as well as continued study of blade traffic into these regions. Thank you so much Iain for your continued and tenacious study on these, and especially for sharing them here. I hope others with similar featured examples might enter them as well. All best regards, Jim