Takouba with a forte.

[Marc M.]

Originally Posted by Lee

It will not surprise me if you discover no break hidden under the reinforcing plates. I have seen such plates on many takouba; the forte is the strongest part of a blade, so breaks there should not be anticipated. Perhaps the intent was as a stiffener, or to change the balance or to lengthen a blade by adding an extension. In any case it is a very nice sword. The mounts are probably mid 20th century and the blade earlier.

Hi Lee
Thanks for the additional info regarding forte. I assumed a high quality blade was made usable again this way after a break. The attached photo shows a piece of the blade, 23.5mm, in the forte, otherwise no seams can be seen on the forte.
The blade at the forte is 27.4mm wide and 4.8mm thick, the forte 27.9 and 6mm thick, and at its widest 28mmen 5.2 thick.
Regards
Marc