Owners of takouba and kaskara - a little help needed!

[Iain]

Thanks Lew for posting your kaskara - exactly what I was interested to see.

The reason I asked folks to show examples was because I ran across a reference in "Publications of the Princeton Expedition to Abyssinia" from 1910 regarding sword marks and their associated local value.

1. The "Rhinoceros-hoof Mahawl" is valuable. Its marks
are: three lines, a span long, above its pommel, and two
crescents with their openings facing each other, and also
the hoof of a rhinoceros. It is costly.

2. The "Running-stream Mahawl" however, has the lines
reaching to its point; it is cheap. Or, again, if one of the
lines is a little longer, and the two others are shorter, and
if the crescents face outward, it is [also] called the "Running-
stream Mahawl, and it is of little value, too.

Essentially it would seem that if the crescents face each other the value of the sword is higher - and thus likely to mean better steel etc.

I was intrigued by this because the only example I had pass through my hands with the crescents facing each other was an older Tuareg piece that had exceptional steel quality. And one I thought had a decent chance to be European.

So I thought it was worth seeing what else would turn up among the forums members.

[regihis]

Hello Iain,
The analysis of the swords using the literature is wonderful. It would be a fantastic complement the use of chemical analyzes and comparisons. There is already such a study?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by regihis

Hello Iain,
The analysis of the swords using the literature is wonderful. It would be a fantastic complement the use of chemical analyzes and comparisons. There is already such a study?

Hi Regihis,

Unfortunately not to my knowledge. I believe such techniques would require material samples from the blades. Personally I am not willing to sacrifice anything in my collection like that.

As far as I know - there is not an exact test for dating iron. However it is possible to analyse the composition of iron, such as the carbon content.

However if someone knows of lab tests that could accomplish this without somewhat destructive sampling required... I would be extremely happy to hear about it!

[regihis]

A METALLURGICAL STUDY OF SOME VIKING SWORDS

http://gladius.revistas.csic.es/inde...wnload/218/222

[Iain]

Hi Regihis,

I am familiar with this study. Unfortunately, as far as I know this requires a cross section of the blade.

This is the somewhat invasive method I was referring to before.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams Iain see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5453 for a couple of moons.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[Iain]

Hi Ibrahiim,

I'm well aware of the thread. There's one piece in the thread posted by Fernando, that fits my criteria. A German executioner's sword. One of the reasons I started this thread. But thanks for linking it!