An engraved Kaskara For discussion and a question

werecow · 15th September 2023, 09:31 PM

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 · 16th September 2023, 02:58 AM

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

15th September 2023, 09:31 PM	#1
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 553	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.

16th September 2023, 02:58 AM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	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