Native North African sword

[ariel]

I think we have a hybrid here.
Originally, it was a Kattara, as evidenced by the blade and the typical outline of the handle.
However, the scabbard, with its parallel leather strips , looks very Manding. Especially the "drag" portion of it ( the best preserved one) is very, very, very Manding! And, of course, the handle: the Omani solid and heavy counterweight pommel was lost (discarded?) and a flimsy cap was put in its place. The top was also sharpened sometimes on route from Oman to West Africa.
Well traveled sword...
With the current fascination by canine designer breeds, such as Cockapoo, Labrapoo, Chihuastiffe , a mix of Chihuahua and Neapolitan Mastiffe (not yet developed, but certainly coming soon to the "PetWorld" near you) we may start paying more attention to the transitional forms of weapons. Most likely, they will tell us something important about ancient migrations and clashes of civilizations.

[kai]

At first glance I also was entertaining the thought this might be a kattara.

Like Ariel and Jim, I believe this to be an African sword though (especially the fittings are far from Arab style). IMHO, the blade could as well originate from Africa. Thus, only the hilt may be suggesting an Omani origin but I'm not convinced of that either: The pommel cap doesn't look like a make-shift replacement and could as well be original? Jim, are there any similarly tapering hilts known from Africa?

Regards,
Kai

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kai

At first glance I also was entertaining the thought this might be a kattara.

Like Ariel and Jim, I believe this to be an African sword though (especially the fittings are far from Arab style). IMHO, the blade could as well originate from Africa. Thus, only the hilt may be suggesting an Omani origin but I'm not convinced of that either: The pommel cap doesn't look like a make-shift replacement and could as well be original? Jim, are there any similarly tapering hilts known from Africa?

Regards,
Kai

Kai, there are of course many variations in the wide diffusion of weapons in North Africa, and cylindrical hilts are known in the Maasai seme, as well as the Manding sabre. The Manding sabres of Mali seem to have hilts that recall Omani style, and as Ariel has suggested, the wrap suggests Manding. The reptilian skin however is most probably from the waran lizard, suggesting Sudanese provenance.
In rechecking the Sierra Leone swords that often carry kaskara type broadsword blades, thier hilts are with a symmetrical 'dumbbell' type pommel and guard, so would not correspond with the hilt seen here.

My impression remains most likely Eastern Sudan, with possibly Bedouin association. The Omani kattara with broadsword blade certainly travelled inland with trade routes, and there are Omani hilted sabres as well.

Best regards,
Jim

[katana]

Hi Bill,
the type of weapon I like..... a 'non-fussy' user , totally agree with Ariel a kattara that has travelled, I am sure it has great stories 'to tell'. An added advantage of only the final 8" or so, being sharpened is that that the sword could have been used 'two handed' by gripping the forte area. Seeing as there is no guard, the risk factor to the other 'sword hand' would be no different. In a melee ... being able to manipulate the sword with two hands can be an advantage in a number of situations, medievel knights would sometimes hold the blade (two handed) and strike with the cross guard ...a la improvised war hammer.

Is the blade relatively thin and flexible as alot of kattara seem to have?


Regards David

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Bill,

Is the blade relatively thin and flexible as a lot of kattara seem to have?


Regards David

Hi David,

No it is much like a kaskara. Solid. But I don't know how flexible a kattara blade would be since I don't have one (yet). But I am looking.

Maybe my mummy will get me one for Christmas!

I do have several kaskara and it is very much like one of them.

Bill