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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 13
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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. |
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#2 |
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 478
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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 |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 13
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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. |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,171
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#5 |
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Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 13
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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) Last edited by Panhead572; 14th September 2024 at 04:00 PM. Reason: Add centimeter lenghts |
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#6 |
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Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 13
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Found another one in my collection with a slim blade but traditional Tuareg hilt & scabbard.
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#7 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,795
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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"
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#8 |
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Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: Texas, USA
Posts: 13
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Tim - it does look like a mix of those two styles.
Thanks for posting these pictures. |
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#9 |
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Room 101, Glos. UK
Posts: 4,171
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![]() Last edited by Lee; 21st September 2024 at 11:49 AM. Reason: error in URL (not https) |
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