Sudanese kaskara - Arabic translation request

Edster · 11th November 2011, 11:59 PM

Colin,

Great sword!!! My knowledge is limited, but may add another ingredient to the stew. My guess is it isn't from Kassala based mainly on the handle wrap. The blade looks thick in the photograph. Hasn't been sharpened in years. Probably old. Grip it with the blade pointing up and snap your wrist. If the blade vibrates for a few seconds, it may be made from lorry spring stock. Likewise, does it bend / deflect maybe 15 degrees or more? Some of the modern Kassala blades could almost bend double for someone who was skilled at the demonstration.

The calligraphy is very stylistic. Not the style of a suq al haddad worker, maybe a silver smith. No doubt the translation may put into a context. Is it engraved or more likely etched? Modern (1986 is the limit of my personal experience with the sword smiths.) marks are often just scratches into the blade or made with a crude punch.

The lion is stylistically sophisticated, and may be the calligrapher's mark rather than that of the blade maker. No opinion on the orb and cross. Line width is more narrow that the calligraphy and that may have meaning. Is it the same depth?

I'll be eager to learn more about this outstanding item.

Regards,
Ed

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11th November 2011, 11:59 PM	#10
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 418	Colin, Great sword!!! My knowledge is limited, but may add another ingredient to the stew. My guess is it isn't from Kassala based mainly on the handle wrap. The blade looks thick in the photograph. Hasn't been sharpened in years. Probably old. Grip it with the blade pointing up and snap your wrist. If the blade vibrates for a few seconds, it may be made from lorry spring stock. Likewise, does it bend / deflect maybe 15 degrees or more? Some of the modern Kassala blades could almost bend double for someone who was skilled at the demonstration. The calligraphy is very stylistic. Not the style of a suq al haddad worker, maybe a silver smith. No doubt the translation may put into a context. Is it engraved or more likely etched? Modern (1986 is the limit of my personal experience with the sword smiths.) marks are often just scratches into the blade or made with a crude punch. The lion is stylistically sophisticated, and may be the calligrapher's mark rather than that of the blade maker. No opinion on the orb and cross. Line width is more narrow that the calligraphy and that may have meaning. Is it the same depth? I'll be eager to learn more about this outstanding item. Regards, Ed