BABY KASKARA ???

[Lew]

Jim

Here is an interesting observation. I measured the length between the rings on my smaller kaskara and it's only six inches the belt is small only about eight inches so compare this to my normal size kaskara where the rings are nine inches across but the belt about twenty four inches long. The longer strap allows the wearer to wear the sword tucked under his left shoulder the strap fits over the head. The small strap on the other sword would be impossible to wear the sword in this manner even for a small boy. So maybe these smaller kaskara are as you said family heirlooms?

[Jim McDougall]

Thanks very much Lew, those are excellent and most pertinant observations, and it really is interesting to try to perceive the varying manners in which these kaskara were worn. The Hadendoa warriors during the Mahdiya often wore the full length kaskaras across thier back, while I have seen photos of mounted warriors wearing them in a shoulder type sling under thier arm (I believe Baggara). There are cases of the full length kaskara worn under the saddle, very much as in the European pallasche/estoc of earlier times, and a shorter Ottoman hilted type sabre. These seem to be more related to regions under Ottoman control as the individual I have seen pictured like this is wearing a fez.
There are much shorter shamshir type sabres with Ottoman style hilts, one I have seen with a brass embossed lozenge pattern relief hilt and crossguard having the kaskara type langet. The scabbard mounted in the typical flared end. These must have been worn in the same under the arm fashion.

All the best,
Jim