Honest Kaskara to share.

drac2k · 20th June 2019, 07:57 PM

I hope these additional pictures help

TVV · 20th June 2019, 08:17 PM

Thank you for the additional images - the blade looks like it was actually reforged from curved and single edged to straight and double edged. I have a sword that started as a gurade and went through a similar rework here:

http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...hlight=kaskara

Teodor

Jim McDougall · 20th June 2019, 08:44 PM

Teodor that is a very astute observation, and seeing these additional images I think this could be the case. You can see the remains of a European ricasso block, and the fuller seems remarkably asymmetrical, where it would be central on the usually seen broadsword blades.

I recall the discussions where it was shown that this reworking of a sabre blade could be done, but it seemed like a lot of work! Still, blades were at a premium in these Sudanese regions, and were refurbished continually through generations. The sharpening of blades in these and Saharan regions was often pretty brutal and crudely done so it is amazing these blades could survive as long as they have.

This falls directly in place with the British disarmament after Omdurman, as noted by Ed, and the availability of blades was pretty dismal in most Sudanese areas. It seems more remote Darfur still got blades OK, but through varied trade routes aside from those virtually restricted by England.

drac2k · 20th June 2019, 09:03 PM

Thanks once again gentlemen for your insights. I should have mentioned that the spine of the sword is unsharpened, except for the last 5 or 6 inches, where it is very sharp, as is most of the blade on the belly side. Upon further reflection of your comments, I do believe that it is a reworked European sword; maybe this long stout sword made for thrusting, as opposed to the long, wider and flat blades they normally used for slashing was as a direct consequence due to an encounter with British Cavalry.

Kubur · 20th June 2019, 09:09 PM

Hi
a last word
you have French heavy cavalry sword 1885 with one assymetrical fuller
reforged for sure as Teodor said

20th June 2019, 07:57 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	I hope these additional pictures help Attached Images

20th June 2019, 09:09 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi a last word you have French heavy cavalry sword 1885 with one assymetrical fuller reforged for sure as Teodor said Attached Images

20th June 2019, 08:17 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Thank you for the additional images - the blade looks like it was actually reforged from curved and single edged to straight and double edged. I have a sword that started as a gurade and went through a similar rework here: http://vikingsword.com/vb/showthread...hlight=kaskara Teodor

20th June 2019, 08:44 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	Teodor that is a very astute observation, and seeing these additional images I think this could be the case. You can see the remains of a European ricasso block, and the fuller seems remarkably asymmetrical, where it would be central on the usually seen broadsword blades. I recall the discussions where it was shown that this reworking of a sabre blade could be done, but it seemed like a lot of work! Still, blades were at a premium in these Sudanese regions, and were refurbished continually through generations. The sharpening of blades in these and Saharan regions was often pretty brutal and crudely done so it is amazing these blades could survive as long as they have. This falls directly in place with the British disarmament after Omdurman, as noted by Ed, and the availability of blades was pretty dismal in most Sudanese areas. It seems more remote Darfur still got blades OK, but through varied trade routes aside from those virtually restricted by England.

20th June 2019, 09:03 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,232	Thanks once again gentlemen for your insights. I should have mentioned that the spine of the sword is unsharpened, except for the last 5 or 6 inches, where it is very sharp, as is most of the blade on the belly side. Upon further reflection of your comments, I do believe that it is a reworked European sword; maybe this long stout sword made for thrusting, as opposed to the long, wider and flat blades they normally used for slashing was as a direct consequence due to an encounter with British Cavalry.