Markings on a Takouba-mounted European Backsword

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Yeah, I tried entering the tracking on the usps site but it doesn't have any records. I contacted usps and they basically said they have no record of the package and no idea where it is. I'm asking the seller to contact colissimo but I'm not sure if he will...

Hi
I'm really sorry for you.
I know the site where you got your sword.
There are a lot of cheaters.
The guy should provide you the original tracking number.
Remember also the customs, maybe your stuff is blocked somewhere...

Good luck
Kubur

[blue lander]

Well, it took longer than I expected but it finally arrived! I'll take better pictures tomorrow but I've attached a photo of the only writing I see on the blade. I don't see Toscania anywhere, just the below word. If you look at it upside down (with the edge facing upward) it sort of looks like it says ZANCONA but with the N's backwards.

[kronckew]

glad you finally got it. interesting sword. i have a kaskara coming from france to the UK, shipped 5 days ago via colissimo. tracking says it' in switzerland.hope i do better with it's delivery.

here's a cyrillic alphabet from bulgaria - note the nackwards Ns are western Is

the 'Z' apears to be an earlier form of the modern cyrillic 'З', ='Ze'. not sure what that last letter would be. could be an early version of whatever. i'm not versed in ancient non western alphabets, of which there are a zillion.

i flipped the sword to make it easier to see

[blue lander]

Hopefully someone can make heads or tails of it.

I can't find my good camera but here are two more pictures I took from my phone.

Assuming it is Cyrillic, and the backwards N's are I's and the C's are S's, maybe it says Zmissia or Zaissia? That second character could be an A, an M, or maybe a Yus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yus

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I note the appearance in this line of capitals of two Majescule A which may be compared with The Odd Sword ,,,marks... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=sword


As far as I could deduce the letters were A 5 I IJ IJ A with two Majescule A one at each end of the string of letters.

[kronckew]

re: my earlier worry about colissimo. my short takouba sword shipped this last friday p.m. from the paris area, went to switzerland. got a note from the service delivering it last night that they'd deliver sometime today. here bright and early just before 8a.m. so it took about4+ days. colissimo shows it as being at the local delivery co.'s warehouse. guess they've not got the word yet.

[TVV]

I doubt the letters are Cyrillic.

Sincerely,
Teodor

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

The best way to understand the swords in the Sahel and environs is to see http://iainnorman.com/

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The best way to understand the swords in the Sahel and environs is to see http://iainnorman.com/

Well done Ibrahiim!! Perfect link to Iain's site, and the terrific insight into the weapons and culture of the Tuareg's and surrounding tribal groups.
Anyone collecting or interested in these arms definitely needs to read these detailed and observant essays and notes.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Well done Ibrahiim!! Perfect link to Iain's site, and the terrific insight into the weapons and culture of the Tuareg's and surrounding tribal groups.
Anyone collecting or interested in these arms definitely needs to read these detailed and observant essays and notes.

I'm flattered folks, but please keep in my what you find on that link are only one person's opinion.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Iain

I'm flattered folks, but please keep in my what you find on that link are only one person's opinion.

True, but your essays happen to be well supported, with observations based on a good amount of actual items, and referencing period sources like Barth. There is so little information out there that I have printed the takouba.org database and together with your articles consider these print outs the best "book" on the subject of Sahel weapons thus far.

Thank you,
Teodor

[Iain]

Originally Posted by TVV

True, but your essays happen to be well supported, with observations based on a good amount of actual items, and referencing period sources like Barth. There is so little information out there that I have printed the takouba.org database and together with your articles consider these print outs the best "book" on the subject of Sahel weapons thus far.

Thank you,
Teodor

Thanks Teodor,

There are times I struggle to write due to a lack of inspiration and ideas. This thread is a bright spot in what is often a figurative desert with most extant examples being modern. It's really due to members like blue lander being willing to share their examples that I've written anything at all. For me the heart of weapons study will always be seeing as many examples as possible. Very little attention was devoted by previous researchers to the overall story of the takouba and its form, with more concern being paid to the European blade aspect or more ethnographic interests in leather work, current usage etc. All very valid and helpful areas of study but my passion has always been and still is the early moments of the takouba, where it came from, what the relation to other sword forms is, how it came to be an isolated and relatively preserved over time. Without folks like yourself to encourage me, I'd be tempted at times to give up and figure there's not much left to uncover. Thankfully this forum is a major aid in stimulating discussion and driving my passion forward. I'm truly grateful my attempts to shine a light on this obscure topic have been helpful.