Takouba with old european blade

[Yvain]

Indeed TVV, I have another one like this. Though in this case I think the main goal could have been to lengthen the blade, as the "sandwich" part doesn't hide the beginning of the blade

[Jim McDougall]

I agree with the consensus here, this appears to be a European blade and has suffered the torments consistent with the Sahara, with these blades that came into this sphere through the 19th century through Mediterranean trade. These circulated for many generations and went through many alterations in their repeated remounting.

The 'Passau' wolf seems well executed and consistent with the standard configurations typically used in Solingen work. The SAHAGUM was one of the many also consistent names etc. used spuriously in Solingen implying the work of makers in Toledo.It seems blades using this name were typically destined for North Europe, but obviously these like others often ended up in varying circumstances.

The 'sandwiched' metal applied at the forte is a strengthening application commonly used in the Sahara for blades often remounted as Teodor notes, if I recall termed 'adabal'. The rebated point of the blade is also to tribal preference and in accord with the slashing cuts used by Tuareg tribesmen.

The blade has fared well relatively with the markings as these were typically scoured often in sharpening using stones and such rugged methods. The new reddish rust may be from moisture arising in its location for a time especially if scabbarded. Its always hard to tell from photos but the metal seems otherwise unusually bright.

[Marc M.]

Hi Yvain

Nice takuba and a good european blade. Best to remove the active rust.

Regards
Marc