15th, 16th Century blade.....REALLY ????

Jim McDougall · 12th January 2009, 04:40 PM

According to Dr. Lloyd Cabot Briggs, "European Blades in Tuareg Swords and Daggers", Vol.V, #2, 1965, p.58, these parallel crescent moon marks are termed locally 'dukari' and copied from similar marks used on earlier blades from Europe. These local versions of the blades are I believe termed 'masri', and I am still trying to find the original reference on that.
As noted, a native version of one of these blades, and probably 20th c.

All best regards,
Jim

katana · 12th January 2009, 04:58 PM

Hi Jim,
thank you for the info, its good to hear from you

I am still wondering about the tang on this blade. Takouba tangs are usually 'rat tailed' and are secured by being 'peened over' at the pommel. The ribbed effect on this tang still suggests to me that it was or would have been fixed to the hilt using resin. I have never seen a Kaskara 'in pieces' but, nearly all the pommels are wood (leather or plate metal covered) so a 'peened' tang would not be secure for long. Does anyone know whether Kaskara are blades 'fixed' with a form of resin ??

Regards David

Atlantia · 12th January 2009, 05:59 PM

Relisted with a £100 start.

ALEX · 12th January 2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

... These local versions of the blades are I believe termed 'masri'...

"Masri" means "Egyptian" in Arabic.

Jim McDougall · 15th January 2009, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

"Masri" means "Egyptian" in Arabic.

Thanks Alex, that makes perfect sense as they are noted in the reference as 'made in the north'. It is curious to know what sword making center in Egyptian areas might be producing these takouba blades.

All the best,
Jim

12th January 2009, 04:40 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,199	According to Dr. Lloyd Cabot Briggs, "European Blades in Tuareg Swords and Daggers", Vol.V, #2, 1965, p.58, these parallel crescent moon marks are termed locally 'dukari' and copied from similar marks used on earlier blades from Europe. These local versions of the blades are I believe termed 'masri', and I am still trying to find the original reference on that. As noted, a native version of one of these blades, and probably 20th c. All best regards, Jim

12th January 2009, 04:58 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Jim, thank you for the info, its good to hear from you I am still wondering about the tang on this blade. Takouba tangs are usually 'rat tailed' and are secured by being 'peened over' at the pommel. The ribbed effect on this tang still suggests to me that it was or would have been fixed to the hilt using resin. I have never seen a Kaskara 'in pieces' but, nearly all the pommels are wood (leather or plate metal covered) so a 'peened' tang would not be secure for long. Does anyone know whether Kaskara are blades 'fixed' with a form of resin ?? Regards David

12th January 2009, 05:59 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Relisted with a £100 start.