Horseshoe(?) markings on takouba/aljuinar blade

Jim McDougall · 13th February 2024, 06:22 PM

In going through old threads, I found an sword which is has what appears possibly East European, but unclear on the present context. Whatever the case this, according to dialogue in the thread appears to be a Circassian blade.
As known many trade blades into the Circassian/Caucasian sphere ended up further filtered into Arabia, where Caucasian and Hungarian blades were much favored (termed loosely 'majjar' or 'Magyar' I believe).

On the blade of this sword (with bone hilt) the blade is marked with a symbol which resembles the astrological symbol 'regulus' I think, but it is placed in dual (opposing) configuration.

This curious 'horseshoe' symbol (for lack of better description) I recalled was on the blade of a takouba/aljuinar (saber or hanger blade) which was found in the Burkina Faso regions in the Sahara, so Tuareg.

I am wondering if the marking on this blade was in imitation of the markings on these East European blades which seem to have been in Circassian and Arabian contexts, thereby entering the trans Saharan caravans.

Has anyone out there seen similar markings? examples?

13th February 2024, 06:22 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,944	Horseshoe(?) markings on takouba/aljuinar blade In going through old threads, I found an sword which is has what appears possibly East European, but unclear on the present context. Whatever the case this, according to dialogue in the thread appears to be a Circassian blade. As known many trade blades into the Circassian/Caucasian sphere ended up further filtered into Arabia, where Caucasian and Hungarian blades were much favored (termed loosely 'majjar' or 'Magyar' I believe). On the blade of this sword (with bone hilt) the blade is marked with a symbol which resembles the astrological symbol 'regulus' I think, but it is placed in dual (opposing) configuration. This curious 'horseshoe' symbol (for lack of better description) I recalled was on the blade of a takouba/aljuinar (saber or hanger blade) which was found in the Burkina Faso regions in the Sahara, so Tuareg. I am wondering if the marking on this blade was in imitation of the markings on these East European blades which seem to have been in Circassian and Arabian contexts, thereby entering the trans Saharan caravans. Has anyone out there seen similar markings? examples? Attached Images