Interesting Kaskara from the Askeri Museum

[TVV]

When visiting the Askeri Museum a few weeks ago, I found this sword. The museum claims that it is a Byzantine 15th century sword, which it most definitely is not. As a rule, the curators in the Askeri never really cared about proper attribution, so the misattribution is not surprising.

To me, it looks like a kaskara, potentially an earlier one and with an interesting silver hilt. I wonder of anyone is familiar with the markings in the base of the blade.

[Edster]

To me this sword is not a Kaskara, likely "invented" in mid-19th C. The handle has none of the design elements of a kaskara. The cross guard is close and looks like those cast brass elements from Egypt most common on acid etched blades during the late Mahdist era. (I can't recall just now the name).

Don't know about the mark on the blade.

Design elements of the hilt are similar to ancient Islamic swords like the one in Askari Museum attached. (Sorry I can't extract an image of the grip to show. Maybe Tim can give me a hand.)

http://i1337.photobucket.com/albums/...ps489036f4.jpg

Regards,
Ed

[TVV]

Thank you for responding Ed. The sword you linked to is an Omani sword with a hilt, which is quite acrhaic in form, inspired (or unchanged for centuries) from early Islamic forms.

Here is a link to a sword posted by Kubur some time ago, with a brass hilt and a crossguard similar in style:

http://vikingsword.com/vb/showpost.p...3&postcount=20

Teodor

[Jim McDougall]

It seems to me that there numbers of 'Sudanic' swords which while not in the traditional kaskara form entirely, were comprised on some elements and often using the kinds of blades produced during the Anglo-Egyptian condominium or somewhat before.

These were often reflecting the Ottoman influences which had been established in Mamluk Egypt into 19th century and these conventions and stylistic tendencies prevailed. In my opinion, the acid etched thuluth calligraphy on weapons during the Khalifa period derived from Mamluk metalwork conventions situated in Sudan earlier in the century. It seems reasonable the same type of followings would apply to various swords in degree, especially those for any sort of prestigious use.

Attached is the sword Teodor noted from previous post from Kubur.
My example of 'Sudanese'(?) shamshir, seemingly following these traditions. The blade is the Turkish 'beyez'? I dont recall the term used.

Ed, I recall those same types of swords you mention, and the cast twirled grips but cannot place where the references are either. As noted they seem Anglo-Egyptian period, and that mark looks like the steel stock type trademarks seen on some kaskaras made with this material early 20th during the Condominium. It does seem in these Turkish museums there is a degree of innovation in exhibits.

[Edster]

Jim,

I agree. From the Egyptian "conquest" of Sudan in 1821 until the Mahdiya beginning in 1885 there was a considerable different kinds of swords deployed in Sudan. The Funj mounted guards used imported Arabic-style sabers for 300 years until defeated in 1821. The Mamluks of Muhammad Ali's army was manned by 4,000 Albanians and other nationalities plus various mercenaries who passed through. They had their own styles of weapons. Likely like your fine saber example posted. During the 64 year period there was ample opportunities for captured swords to be adapted and styles to be to be shared and hybrids to develop and survive among the hated Turkiyah occupation soldiers and the native Arabized Sudanese tribes.

Within this period it seems that the native Sudanese tribes had the stronger culture and developed the straight bladed kaskara, grip and cross guard style, and it became more or less fixed. I am nor aware of trophy swords from the Mahdiya Era to be anything other than the kaskara as we know it today.

Best regards,
Ed