Unusual Takouba or Something Else?

Panhead572 · 13th September 2024, 05:40 PM

I worked in Niger in the 1980’s and became interested in Tuareg artifacts, especially their knives and swords. Most of the swords I collected resemble the ones I see posted on this forum, however, this one is a bit of a mystery to me. It was given to me by a very good Tuareg friend who was a minister in the government of Niger at the time. He said he procured it in Tamanrasset.

The hilt looks more like what you would see on a North African dagger and the blade is thinner than that of typical takoubas. The double-edged blade appears very strong, is flexible and razor sharp. There are no markings on the blade and its forging appears more refined than most of the local blades I have seen.

Any comments will be appreciated.

RobT · 13th September 2024, 11:44 PM

Hi Panhead 572,

The markings on the guard are Toureg and so are the marks on the blade forte. The sheath is Toureg and I have seen Toureg daggers with similar hilts/guards. What is the length and width of your blade? It looks like a scaled up version of a Toureg dagger. Toureg sword blades are typically very flexible. There is an online video of Led Zeppelin performing Kashmir in the desert while a pair of Toureg men do a sword dance. While making sweeping cuts with the blade, the palm of the left hand is placed on the flat of the blade as a support.

Sincerely,
RobT

Panhead572 · 13th September 2024, 11:54 PM

The blade starts out at 7/8” wide and tapers slightly towards the end and is about 34” long.

I’ll try to take some pictures of the whole blade tomorrow.

kronckew · 14th September 2024, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panhead572

The sword starts out at 7/8” wide and tapers slightly towards the end and is about 34” long.

I’ll try to take some pictures of the whole blade tomorrow.

How long is the blade?

Panhead572 · 14th September 2024, 11:13 AM

Pictures of entire sword.

Hilt length = 10 inches (25.4 cm)
Blade length = 34 inches (86.36 cm)
Total length = 44 inches (111.76 cm)

Panhead572 · 15th September 2024, 10:57 PM

Found another one in my collection with a slim blade but traditional Tuareg hilt & scabbard.

Tim Simmons · 16th September 2024, 03:45 PM

Similar mix of styles but with rather shorter blade , 20th century. From a inexpensive picture book you can find on Amazon. "Tuareg Daggers & Swords. Jan. E . Culbertson, 2012"

Panhead572 · 16th September 2024, 06:27 PM

Tim - it does look like a mix of those two styles.

Thanks for posting these pictures.

13th September 2024, 05:40 PM	#1
Panhead572 Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 13	Unusual Takouba or Something Else? I worked in Niger in the 1980’s and became interested in Tuareg artifacts, especially their knives and swords. Most of the swords I collected resemble the ones I see posted on this forum, however, this one is a bit of a mystery to me. It was given to me by a very good Tuareg friend who was a minister in the government of Niger at the time. He said he procured it in Tamanrasset. The hilt looks more like what you would see on a North African dagger and the blade is thinner than that of typical takoubas. The double-edged blade appears very strong, is flexible and razor sharp. There are no markings on the blade and its forging appears more refined than most of the local blades I have seen. Any comments will be appreciated. Attached Images

13th September 2024, 11:44 PM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 478	Looks Like a Huge Dagger Hi Panhead 572, The markings on the guard are Toureg and so are the marks on the blade forte. The sheath is Toureg and I have seen Toureg daggers with similar hilts/guards. What is the length and width of your blade? It looks like a scaled up version of a Toureg dagger. Toureg sword blades are typically very flexible. There is an online video of Led Zeppelin performing Kashmir in the desert while a pair of Toureg men do a sword dance. While making sweeping cuts with the blade, the palm of the left hand is placed on the flat of the blade as a support. Sincerely, RobT

13th September 2024, 11:54 PM	#3
Panhead572 Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 13	The blade starts out at 7/8” wide and tapers slightly towards the end and is about 34” long. I’ll try to take some pictures of the whole blade tomorrow. Last edited by Panhead572; 14th September 2024 at 10:44 AM. Reason: Clarify that the blade is 34” long.

14th September 2024, 11:13 AM	#5
Panhead572 Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 13	Pictures of entire sword. Hilt length = 10 inches (25.4 cm) Blade length = 34 inches (86.36 cm) Total length = 44 inches (111.76 cm) Attached Images Last edited by Panhead572; 14th September 2024 at 04:00 PM. Reason: Add centimeter lenghts

15th September 2024, 10:57 PM	#6
Panhead572 Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 13	Another one with slim blade.... Found another one in my collection with a slim blade but traditional Tuareg hilt & scabbard. Attached Images

16th September 2024, 03:45 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,783	Similar mix of styles but with rather shorter blade , 20th century. From a inexpensive picture book you can find on Amazon. "Tuareg Daggers & Swords. Jan. E . Culbertson, 2012" Attached Images

16th September 2024, 06:27 PM	#8
Panhead572 Member Join Date: Sep 2024 Location: Texas, USA Posts: 13	Tim - it does look like a mix of those two styles. Thanks for posting these pictures.