An engraved Kaskara For discussion and a question

[Jim McDougall]

These are great examples!

I think it would be hard to follow a distinct 'pattern' or style as far as restoring a grip and pommel on a kaskara without the actual original assembly present in at least some degree. In the Sudan, these often heirloom blades circulated for many generations and were often remounted as hilts deteriorated or perhaps the weapon changed hands.

As typically the case, the workers mounting these swords had varying conventions on the assembly and materials for the hilts, and there were numerous variables factored in. While a basic style of course existed in its simplicity, it seems possible, if not likely, certain regions might use particular materials based on availability or perhaps even local favor. Without set regulation or consistency, the obvious goal was pragmatic in a hilt which functioned well in handling of the sword.

Certain regions such as Darfur, had the post Mahdiyya styling using embossed silver and the totemic crocodile hide segments, with filagree discoid pommels.

The example shown here with brass cross guard is clearly a Mahdiyya period kaskara, and the acid etched thuluth in most unusual panels and arrangements, a most intriguing example!


I very much agree with Ed (post #4), the blade here is likely from a Darfur oriented context, as these areas seem the most consistent with European 'astral' themed blades. It probably became a victim of being altered to approximate a crusaders sword, as described by Oakeshott where, 'many kaskaras fell victim to this endeavor'.

These blades seem to have come into Sudan in 19th century from blades in Germany and Eastern Europe, probably during the presence of Gordon and von Slatin there just prior to the Mahdiyya, when von Slatin was appointed to Darfur.

In my post #2, examples 3 and 4 are both in my opinion from Darfur regions, and the crocodile covered one is with this same type blade. Clearly the mounting in crocodile is an anomaly which was consistent with slaving factions operating in southern Darfur late in 19th c.

As Ed has suggested, it is probably best to stay with the simpler strip leather wrapped grip with leather wrapped disc pommel as seen in variation with the examples shown. It is entirely feasible that these blades remained circulating in Sudan post Omdurman, and might have been mounted there in this manner in the years following in the Anglo-Egyptian Condominium.

[efrahjalt]

Thanks all again for the additional pictures, info, and comments. I'd forgotten about that Matt Easton video, but the hilt of his example has a very similar cross, and I can see that the grip tapers toward the back like the wood core of mine does. This is somewhat offset by the leather being worn away near the guard and still present near the pommel, but you can still see the tapering beneath. His may be a good example to try and emulate in my reconstruction. In a couple shots it looked like there was a covering over the back that is partially worn away and slightly loose, but he doesn't really show it and the video resolution is not good enough to see it well.

Jim, you have confirmed my suspicions that these were remounted often and an original form for this particular example may not really be a thing, or at least not possible to put a finger on. Your examples will help me go in the right direction though.

Mine has certainly been altered, but I think the alteration is more minor that it may seem from the pictures. It is not an entirely new hilt. I can see that the original core actually seems very much intact and complete. There are remnants of the original leather and glue under the upper languets. The only addition is an off the shelf wooden ball from a craft store that has been sloppily glued to the end of the existing wood. I'll get a close up picture to share before I cut it off this weekend.

One reason I think that my example was likely a leather strip wrap (at least in it's last incarnation of a kaskara hilt) instead of a wood pommel with silver or other decorative wrap is I can sill see the nail hole in the wood that would have held the strips in place in the same way as werecow's example. I'll grab a better picture of this to share too.

Thanks again for the great images and info. Keep it coming. I'm think I'm getting close. I'd love to see some more examples of the pommel cover construction.

[werecow]

Thanks for your thoughts Jim. If anyone is interested one of these days I'll post some more pictures of the thuluth kaskara on a separate (or more appropriate) thread so as not to derail this one too much.

As for the example in the OP: What efrahjalt says makes a lot of sense. Given that, as Matt points out, the leather often rots away, if the grip cover and pommel were both indeed entirely leather as you say, then the original wooden grip was probably retained and only the missing pommel was replaced by someone who didn't know what it was supposed to look like.

[Edster]

As I understand it, the end of the wooden grip is wedged between the blade and the interior space of the cross guard to lock the pieces together. The grip on the subject sword appears to just abut the cross guard and is held in place by the grip pin. To my knowledge, locally made blade did not have a in hole in the tang and this may be why the blade-grip=cross guard structure was developed to hold all parts together securely.

Also, a native wooden grip was of the same diameter throughout. A taper toward the top would defeat a secure grip by sweaty hands.

A finished & serviceable sword left the smith with a secured smooth wooden grip (no cap). The new owner took it to a leather worker or a silver smith to finish it off as personal taste, intended use and relative wealth dictated.

Best,
Ed