Euro/? Blade Double Use or Euro inspired?

derek · 24th June 2005, 08:11 PM

Hi guys,
I'm posting these for Roano. Certainly does look a lot like this kaskara and the first example are cousins.
-d

tom hyle · 24th June 2005, 10:41 PM

Yep, sure does. Workmanship is identical, eh?

Jim McDougall · 27th June 2005, 06:11 AM

I tend to agree with most of the observations so far, that this is probably an earlier 20th century blade and Roanoa's Eritrean example kaskara is most compelling. The 'script' on this blade seems to be stylized interpretation much in the sense of 'thuluth' as found etched on Mahdist kaskaras, and may be intended to represent ancient Geez characters along with the apparant classical theme of the motif. The profiled head seems to correspond with ancient silhouettes on coins as Derek has mentioned, and possibly there may be some connection to some ruler of the ancient Axumite civilization that existed in Eritrea? The lion is atypical of the familiar and regally portrayed Lion of Judah seen on Ethiopian weapons and seems more totemic or allegorical.

It is important to note that in Eritrea the kaskara remains symbolically important as an element of status in costume as well as ceremonially used. A friend who is from Eritrea once lent me a video of ceremonial dances from his country, which was completely intriguing (especially to my wife who finally had to enter my domain to find out what in the world I was listening to!

A variety of edged weapons are used in the dances, several of which the kaskara ( which is never called by that term, only sa'if) was key to the gestures and movements. It does not seem that a sword from Eritrea would carry Ethiopian references despite the numbers of former Ethiopian population.

Best regards,
Jim

Craig Johnson · 28th June 2005, 12:15 AM

Hello All

Thanks for all the info. Great stuff as usuall. Here are some details the fellow sent.

The edge is sharp, it has a great deal of flex, at the tip I'd say 3/32 thick and close to 3/16 at tang. The sword is sharper toward the tip, I'd say the last 18 inches especially.

The whole in the tang maybe an elemnet that was used for storage of the blade prior to hilting. I have seen it here and there on different examples of unhilted blades I have come across and it does work well to store a large number of blades in a small space.

As far as kaskara go I believe we have had one donated to the Oakeshott Institute recently with another piece when I have them cleaned up and photographed I will post for all.

I will also pass on the info to this fellow.

Best
Craig

rdj2903 · 7th July 2005, 02:43 AM

Many thanks for the help on identifying this sword. It belongs to a friend of mine. I have told him of your findings, he asked me to tell you that it was covered in a very heavy rust we he got it, and he soaked it for weeks in oil trying to clean it up.

rdj2903 · 9th July 2005, 05:09 PM

Does any one of this group have an approximate value for this piece, I assume he'll want to dispose of it since it isn't extremely old?????

Andrew · 9th July 2005, 05:13 PM

If anyone would like to opine as to value, please do so via PM or email. Thanks.

24th June 2005, 08:11 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi guys, I'm posting these for Roano. Certainly does look a lot like this kaskara and the first example are cousins. -d Attached Images

28th June 2005, 12:15 AM	#4
Craig Johnson Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 12	Thanks for all the info Hello All Thanks for all the info. Great stuff as usuall. Here are some details the fellow sent. The edge is sharp, it has a great deal of flex, at the tip I'd say 3/32 thick and close to 3/16 at tang. The sword is sharper toward the tip, I'd say the last 18 inches especially. The whole in the tang maybe an elemnet that was used for storage of the blade prior to hilting. I have seen it here and there on different examples of unhilted blades I have come across and it does work well to store a large number of blades in a small space. As far as kaskara go I believe we have had one donated to the Oakeshott Institute recently with another piece when I have them cleaned up and photographed I will post for all. I will also pass on the info to this fellow. Best Craig

7th July 2005, 02:43 AM	#5
rdj2903 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2	Sword with lion Many thanks for the help on identifying this sword. It belongs to a friend of mine. I have told him of your findings, he asked me to tell you that it was covered in a very heavy rust we he got it, and he soaked it for weeks in oil trying to clean it up.

9th July 2005, 05:09 PM	#6
rdj2903 Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 2	Approximate Value of lion sword Does any one of this group have an approximate value for this piece, I assume he'll want to dispose of it since it isn't extremely old?????

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24th June 2005, 10:41 PM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Yep, sure does. Workmanship is identical, eh?

27th June 2005, 06:11 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	I tend to agree with most of the observations so far, that this is probably an earlier 20th century blade and Roanoa's Eritrean example kaskara is most compelling. The 'script' on this blade seems to be stylized interpretation much in the sense of 'thuluth' as found etched on Mahdist kaskaras, and may be intended to represent ancient Geez characters along with the apparant classical theme of the motif. The profiled head seems to correspond with ancient silhouettes on coins as Derek has mentioned, and possibly there may be some connection to some ruler of the ancient Axumite civilization that existed in Eritrea? The lion is atypical of the familiar and regally portrayed Lion of Judah seen on Ethiopian weapons and seems more totemic or allegorical. It is important to note that in Eritrea the kaskara remains symbolically important as an element of status in costume as well as ceremonially used. A friend who is from Eritrea once lent me a video of ceremonial dances from his country, which was completely intriguing (especially to my wife who finally had to enter my domain to find out what in the world I was listening to! A variety of edged weapons are used in the dances, several of which the kaskara ( which is never called by that term, only sa'if) was key to the gestures and movements. It does not seem that a sword from Eritrea would carry Ethiopian references despite the numbers of former Ethiopian population. Best regards, Jim

9th July 2005, 05:13 PM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	If anyone would like to opine as to value, please do so via PM or email. Thanks.