A nice, typical takouba (katouba) with features most consistent with mid 20th century. This type of sword is characteristically associated with the nomadic Tuareg who sparsely inhabit a broad area of the Sahara, however a number of tribal groups in the semi-arid Sahel to the south also use this style of sword or variants of it. One reason these are often found with a multi stranded black or dark gray baldric with fine white stripes is that these swords still remained in use a decade and a half ago, if not presently. The oval (perpendicular to the length of the blade pommel) features a stacked pyramid of alternating brass and copper domed washers. Opposite this is an iron component tapering from a flat oval to match the round grip. A typical crossguard is covered with leather with a raised rectangular panel on the display face. The scabbard is formed of leather embossed with typical designs and there is a fancy chape of blue-green leather and brass with red highlights on the display face. The opposite side is undecorated. The baldric attached to triangular aluminum mounts with losses to green-blue leather decoration on the strap nearer the hilt, and also loss of one aluminum terminal on that mount. The blade is classical for the type and almost surely of local manufacture (in a style borrowed from European trade blades). Three narrow short fullers are present on each face, the central one longer than those on the sides. A pair a half-moon figures has been stamped on each face of the blade, just beyond where the short fullers end. The 30 1/2 inch double edged blade is sharp and evidence of repeated honing is obvious in the narrowed tip. A few rust spots and light pitting are present. Overall length is just over 36 1/2 inches with an overall weight of 46.7 ounces and hilted blade weight of 29.7 ounces.

Please note, in the photographs above the sword has been inserted into the scabbard backwards.