Scottish Sword with Engraving?

Jim McDougall · 30th October 2020, 02:54 AM

I am totally in accord with Lee's observations.
This marking is one that seems to be appropriately called 'the enigma' and is described in Briggs (1965) as having been found on Tuareg swords during the Kaocen revolt in N. Niger 1916-17 .
It has remained unclear whether these were imitating certain European makers marks seen on trade blades, or whether it had some symbolic value in the tribal folk religions.

Regardless, it seems to have occurred as well on kaskara of the period as well in some degree.

The late Ewart Oakeshott described in his "Records of the Medieval Sword" how numbers of souvenir kaskara were often dismantled for the blades, and then remounted with either reproduced or sometimes genuine medieval hilts.
This hilt seems a very convincing likeness of the famed Scottish two hander (claymore) but these were much larger and with trefoils at quillon ends usually.

It does seem the 37" length is well known on kaskara (I just measured one being catalogued).

While perhaps not the venerable Scottish broadsword hoped for, this is a most attractive example, and I really cannot say for sure on the hilt, it could be authentically old made in the manner of the old claymores. The Scots have a fondness for carrying forth tradition, and old basket hilts and their blades had long working lives in later incarnations.

It would be good to read through the work by Ed Hunley as Lee suggested, this blade alone has its own intrinsic value being from the Sudan.

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30th October 2020, 02:54 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,282	I am totally in accord with Lee's observations. This marking is one that seems to be appropriately called 'the enigma' and is described in Briggs (1965) as having been found on Tuareg swords during the Kaocen revolt in N. Niger 1916-17 . It has remained unclear whether these were imitating certain European makers marks seen on trade blades, or whether it had some symbolic value in the tribal folk religions. Regardless, it seems to have occurred as well on kaskara of the period as well in some degree. The late Ewart Oakeshott described in his "Records of the Medieval Sword" how numbers of souvenir kaskara were often dismantled for the blades, and then remounted with either reproduced or sometimes genuine medieval hilts. This hilt seems a very convincing likeness of the famed Scottish two hander (claymore) but these were much larger and with trefoils at quillon ends usually. It does seem the 37" length is well known on kaskara (I just measured one being catalogued). While perhaps not the venerable Scottish broadsword hoped for, this is a most attractive example, and I really cannot say for sure on the hilt, it could be authentically old made in the manner of the old claymores. The Scots have a fondness for carrying forth tradition, and old basket hilts and their blades had long working lives in later incarnations. It would be good to read through the work by Ed Hunley as Lee suggested, this blade alone has its own intrinsic value being from the Sudan.