Sudanese Kaskara ? Comments welcome

Rick · 16th April 2006, 09:22 PM

That's a Takouba ... (beat me to it Flavio)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=takouba

katana · 16th April 2006, 10:59 PM

Thankyou both,
I appreciate the sword's condition isn't A1, is it worth me 'restoring' it (improving it myself, or by a 'restorer'). I have little idea as to it's worth.

Or, with older examples (which I believe this to be), is this condition usual ?
Is there anyway I can identify it's age?

Rick · 16th April 2006, 11:12 PM

The only restoring I'd do is to remove the red surface rust gently from the blade .
My .02

Jim McDougall · 17th April 2006, 12:00 AM

Katana,
As has been pointed out, this is the traditional takouba of Tuareg tribes of the Saharan regions of North Africa. There is an outstanding article written by our own Dr.Lee Jones on this site if you will look at the home page. These swords are still carried to date by these tribesmen and your example seems, like most found, probably 20th century, and less than 100 years old.
Best regards,
Jim

16th April 2006, 09:22 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	That's a Takouba ... (beat me to it Flavio) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=takouba

16th April 2006, 10:59 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thankyou both, I appreciate the sword's condition isn't A1, is it worth me 'restoring' it (improving it myself, or by a 'restorer'). I have little idea as to it's worth. Or, with older examples (which I believe this to be), is this condition usual ? Is there anyway I can identify it's age?

16th April 2006, 11:12 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	The only restoring I'd do is to remove the red surface rust gently from the blade . My .02

17th April 2006, 12:00 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	Katana, As has been pointed out, this is the traditional takouba of Tuareg tribes of the Saharan regions of North Africa. There is an outstanding article written by our own Dr.Lee Jones on this site if you will look at the home page. These swords are still carried to date by these tribesmen and your example seems, like most found, probably 20th century, and less than 100 years old. Best regards, Jim