Takouba Blade Markings

Edster · 15th August 2022, 08:08 PM

To my eyes the semi-circle looks above the surface of the blade; could be shadowing, and not below the surface as a stamp. Could just be my eyes and the photograph. An indented stamp is a typical mark, but a raised inlay would seem special.

Jim McDougall · 15th August 2022, 10:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

To my eyes the semi-circle looks above the surface of the blade; could be shadowing, and not below the surface as a stamp. Could just be my eyes and the photograph. An indented stamp is a typical mark, but a raised inlay would seem special.

That truly is interesting Ed, I dont have the sword handy right now so cant say for sure, but if this were raised I would have noted it as that would be incredibly unusual. I cannot say I have ever seen such an application. How would this be carried out on a European blade long after original production?

Edster · 15th August 2022, 11:11 PM

I can only guess from First Principles: Like the dots, a semi-circle could be deeply engraved with an internal lip and an alloy heated and hammered into the depression. Hopefully, someone who really knows how to do the inlay can join in to correct my guess. The raised part looks corroded/rusted? so the alloy may be a low grade iron. What alloy would react like that; relatively soft and oxidable? Of course this process may be made of Whole Cloth. :-)

15th August 2022, 08:08 PM	#1
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	To my eyes the semi-circle looks above the surface of the blade; could be shadowing, and not below the surface as a stamp. Could just be my eyes and the photograph. An indented stamp is a typical mark, but a raised inlay would seem special.

15th August 2022, 11:11 PM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	I can only guess from First Principles: Like the dots, a semi-circle could be deeply engraved with an internal lip and an alloy heated and hammered into the depression. Hopefully, someone who really knows how to do the inlay can join in to correct my guess. The raised part looks corroded/rusted? so the alloy may be a low grade iron. What alloy would react like that; relatively soft and oxidable? Of course this process may be made of Whole Cloth. :-)