My Great Grandfather's Sword

Lee · 6th October 2006, 10:27 PM

I think we often under estimate the efficiency of the trade networks from pre-automotive times. I have had an interest in the takoubas of the Saharan Tuareg, and 19th century and earlier European blades are occasionally seen in these swords, even those belonging to persons living well off into the desert. We obviously can never know; your family's blade could have been lost by a member of the French foreign legion and made its way to Arabia by the timeless caravans or perhaps it made its way to the area as military surplus by more conventional channels.

I imagine such European blades would have been valued at the time as well tempered, reliable steel. Has the blade been sharpened for a good cutting edge? So often, military sabers tend to be poorly sharpened. I have heard it told that the British were amazed how well their own sword blades could cut when they fell into local hands in India and were properly sharpened.

In observing the takouba, it is difficult to get a good view of the evolution of the form from the examples you find in-situ; one must often turn to examples in European museums of known collection date. Paradoxically, the 'oldest' takoubas I would encounter were often, at the same time, the very 'newest,' having been remounted within the last decade or so. It is pretty difficult to locate an example of old mountings on those swords still being carried. I suspect this is common when the sword remains culturally alive, as opposed to being only a relic. How exciting it must be to hold a sword you know to have been carried by an ancestor.

Turning to practical matters, you may wish to explore using an epoxy glue for fixing the grip to the guard; this avoids risking heat and can be reversed. I usually limit my treatment of blades to fine steel wool moistened with oil. Better to stop short than to over clean, in my opinion.

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6th October 2006, 10:27 PM	#5
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 932	I think we often under estimate the efficiency of the trade networks from pre-automotive times. I have had an interest in the takoubas of the Saharan Tuareg, and 19th century and earlier European blades are occasionally seen in these swords, even those belonging to persons living well off into the desert. We obviously can never know; your family's blade could have been lost by a member of the French foreign legion and made its way to Arabia by the timeless caravans or perhaps it made its way to the area as military surplus by more conventional channels. I imagine such European blades would have been valued at the time as well tempered, reliable steel. Has the blade been sharpened for a good cutting edge? So often, military sabers tend to be poorly sharpened. I have heard it told that the British were amazed how well their own sword blades could cut when they fell into local hands in India and were properly sharpened. In observing the takouba, it is difficult to get a good view of the evolution of the form from the examples you find in-situ; one must often turn to examples in European museums of known collection date. Paradoxically, the 'oldest' takoubas I would encounter were often, at the same time, the very 'newest,' having been remounted within the last decade or so. It is pretty difficult to locate an example of old mountings on those swords still being carried. I suspect this is common when the sword remains culturally alive, as opposed to being only a relic. How exciting it must be to hold a sword you know to have been carried by an ancestor. Turning to practical matters, you may wish to explore using an epoxy glue for fixing the grip to the guard; this avoids risking heat and can be reversed. I usually limit my treatment of blades to fine steel wool moistened with oil. Better to stop short than to over clean, in my opinion.