Some Sahel weapons

[Mefidk]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Colin,

Takouba is a neat example and I think reasonably old judging by the pommel (close up of that when you can would be great).

Blade is a very odd profile for this region, usually rounded tips, nothing this pointy. I like it and I think it has some good age. The lizard is also very neat. Perhaps someone will recognize the style and be able to pinpoint an ethnic group?

Takouba looks old to me too. The narrow guard profile seems and pommel consistent with some of the older hilts. To me the angle of the guard also suggests long usage. I guess they start out perpendicular to the grip and get pulled by fingers gripping on top of the guard (that is I believe that is the way that they are normally used).
The point does seem odd though. Do we have any other examples of pointy takoubas with age, or does it look like this was a more recent alternation?