Touareg? Omani? In between? Need opinion.

ariel · 15th June 2006, 11:04 PM

OK, boys, I am confused.
This one just came, bought out of pure curiosity.
The scabbard's ( obviously new) motive looks Touareg to me, as well as the bronze(brass? damn, one day I have to learn what is what...) pommel with parallel deep incisions.The tang goes all the way through and protrudes a little (but everything holds like a rock).
The blade is native, straight and very springy. It is nicely patinated and has some minimal pitting, so I would guess it is quite old. The handle looks like Omani kattara, only with lighter pommel. There are heavy traces of shiny gold-colored metal at the base of the blade on both sides (wish it were real gold...

).
My question: where does it come from? North Africa ( Sudan, Somali, further west), or is it a variant of the Omani Kattara? Or, is it a transitional stage ( kind of fusion sword)? What is "gold" doing here? It looks almost like remnants of plating. I know that more modern nickel plating often has copper subplating; however, there is not a trace of plating anywhere else and the stuff does not look like copper.
Help me out!

S.Al-Anizi · 15th June 2006, 11:15 PM

Interesting sword Ariel, would be interested to see what this turns out to be.

katana · 15th June 2006, 11:41 PM

Sorry I've no idea, but what a great sword, well done.

Are the fullers forged or ground? If forged it does, indeed, suggest good age

katana · 15th June 2006, 11:56 PM

A similar sword described as Omani Kattara

http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...01971/ph-0.jpg

Michael Blalock · 16th June 2006, 01:45 AM

I would guess that's an Omani or Hadrami sword that made it over to East Africa and got redecorated. I want one like that.

S.Al-Anizi · 16th June 2006, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Michael Blalock

I would guess that's an Omani or Hadrami sword that made it over to East Africa and got redecorated. I want one like that.

You have all kinds of rare and unique pieces Mike, you should try to get one of these in you collection.

15th June 2006, 11:04 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Touareg? Omani? In between? Need opinion. OK, boys, I am confused. This one just came, bought out of pure curiosity. The scabbard's ( obviously new) motive looks Touareg to me, as well as the bronze(brass? damn, one day I have to learn what is what...) pommel with parallel deep incisions.The tang goes all the way through and protrudes a little (but everything holds like a rock). The blade is native, straight and very springy. It is nicely patinated and has some minimal pitting, so I would guess it is quite old. The handle looks like Omani kattara, only with lighter pommel. There are heavy traces of shiny gold-colored metal at the base of the blade on both sides (wish it were real gold... ). My question: where does it come from? North Africa ( Sudan, Somali, further west), or is it a variant of the Omani Kattara? Or, is it a transitional stage ( kind of fusion sword)? What is "gold" doing here? It looks almost like remnants of plating. I know that more modern nickel plating often has copper subplating; however, there is not a trace of plating anywhere else and the stuff does not look like copper. Help me out! Attached Images

15th June 2006, 11:15 PM	#2
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Interesting sword Ariel, would be interested to see what this turns out to be.

15th June 2006, 11:41 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Sorry I've no idea, but what a great sword, well done. Are the fullers forged or ground? If forged it does, indeed, suggest good age

15th June 2006, 11:56 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A similar sword described as Omani Kattara http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...01971/ph-0.jpg

16th June 2006, 01:45 AM	#5
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	I would guess that's an Omani or Hadrami sword that made it over to East Africa and got redecorated. I want one like that.