SnakeSkin w/ Engraveing Sword

derek · 24th March 2005, 03:05 PM

Hi Allen,

Good to see you followed through and posted this one. It seems that the consensus so far is that is like a kaskara, but with a few un-kaskara like qualities. The guard looks like if was taken from another sword. The pommel reminds me of the daggers from Cameroon with the stitched leather grips.

Isn't the writing down the length of the blade seen frequently on kaskaras? Maybe I'm imaginging it, but I'm sure I've seen a few others.

Also, there is no flare at the tip of the scabbard.

-d

Conogre · 24th March 2005, 04:08 PM

The pommel type being referred to is usually seen on the arm knive of the Tebu of N. Africa if I remember correctly, and honestly, this sword doesn't look like a kaskara to me in anything but general shape.
Many Muslim blades contain writings and verses from the Koran, occasionally the name of the smith and/or owner as well, but on this one it appears as if the entire blade is covered, right up to the edge, which is why I asked about an edge....on a sword used as a weapon, the inlaid writing would seem likely to have been worn off a little each time the piece was sharpened.
Tom's question about the rings for hanging from a baldric are also pertinent, as it could possibly show the difference between a valuable antique and a cobbled together tourist piece that was being passed off.
As I said, I find this piece interesting because of the many unusual qualities, but also just a little suspicious as well.
If that is a purportedly recent aquisition, even the rust could be an indicator as it's highly unlikely that a tribesman would allow it to fall into such a state...rust can indicate much more than just age.
As to whether the Tebu use or used any type of sword themselves, I honestly don't know, but even here, while the shape is correct, I've never seen one with the pommel covered in leather, with it usually being bare iron/steel on the arm knives and the hilt proper wrapped in leather.
At this stage, I hope that you didn't tie up too much in it.
Mike

derek · 24th March 2005, 04:33 PM

Well, I went back and found the post on the leather stitched example I was thinking of. Actually, Conogre had posted a comment on it, so I know there is at least one you've seen! The pics are gone now, but someone else did note that looked like a more modern interpretation of the style.

Could be that this one is "newer" than it appears at first glance. Still, an interesting sword. A pair of matching boots would look nice with that scabbard.

-d

derek · 24th March 2005, 04:35 PM

BTW, I would recommend wiping that blade down repeatedly with an oiled cloth.

-d

Conogre · 24th March 2005, 04:48 PM

Sheeesh, Derek.....I'd rather have the lizard that the leather came from! **grin**
The rust on the blade seems rather deep in some areas and almost non-existant in others, with the inlaying seeming to be uncommonly clear even in heavily rusted areas.
As to what I've seen or not seen, nowdays I'd have to take your word on it....I forgot how old I was for two years,
and no comments about sharpness either!!**grin**
Mike

derek · 24th March 2005, 04:54 PM

Man, I had a friend that kept monitors years ago (name was also Derek, coincidentally) and they are mean as hell. One of them actually shattered the glass on a tank just eating a meal!! (meal=very unfortunate rat)

ariel · 24th March 2005, 05:03 PM

My son just got himself a baby Chinese Bearded Dragon. They are supposed to be very friendly even at full length (~ a foot) but you should only hear the crunch of crickets in it's mouth and shudder... Adults eat live mice....
Do you think it will make a good cutting test target?

24th March 2005, 03:05 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Allen, Good to see you followed through and posted this one. It seems that the consensus so far is that is like a kaskara, but with a few un-kaskara like qualities. The guard looks like if was taken from another sword. The pommel reminds me of the daggers from Cameroon with the stitched leather grips. Isn't the writing down the length of the blade seen frequently on kaskaras? Maybe I'm imaginging it, but I'm sure I've seen a few others. Also, there is no flare at the tip of the scabbard. -d

24th March 2005, 04:08 PM	#2
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	The pommel type being referred to is usually seen on the arm knive of the Tebu of N. Africa if I remember correctly, and honestly, this sword doesn't look like a kaskara to me in anything but general shape. Many Muslim blades contain writings and verses from the Koran, occasionally the name of the smith and/or owner as well, but on this one it appears as if the entire blade is covered, right up to the edge, which is why I asked about an edge....on a sword used as a weapon, the inlaid writing would seem likely to have been worn off a little each time the piece was sharpened. Tom's question about the rings for hanging from a baldric are also pertinent, as it could possibly show the difference between a valuable antique and a cobbled together tourist piece that was being passed off. As I said, I find this piece interesting because of the many unusual qualities, but also just a little suspicious as well. If that is a purportedly recent aquisition, even the rust could be an indicator as it's highly unlikely that a tribesman would allow it to fall into such a state...rust can indicate much more than just age. As to whether the Tebu use or used any type of sword themselves, I honestly don't know, but even here, while the shape is correct, I've never seen one with the pommel covered in leather, with it usually being bare iron/steel on the arm knives and the hilt proper wrapped in leather. At this stage, I hope that you didn't tie up too much in it. Mike

24th March 2005, 04:33 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Well, I went back and found the post on the leather stitched example I was thinking of. Actually, Conogre had posted a comment on it, so I know there is at least one you've seen! The pics are gone now, but someone else did note that looked like a more modern interpretation of the style. Could be that this one is "newer" than it appears at first glance. Still, an interesting sword. A pair of matching boots would look nice with that scabbard. -d

24th March 2005, 04:35 PM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	BTW, I would recommend wiping that blade down repeatedly with an oiled cloth. -d

24th March 2005, 04:48 PM	#5
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Sheeesh, Derek.....I'd rather have the lizard that the leather came from! grin The rust on the blade seems rather deep in some areas and almost non-existant in others, with the inlaying seeming to be uncommonly clear even in heavily rusted areas. As to what I've seen or not seen, nowdays I'd have to take your word on it....I forgot how old I was for two years, and no comments about sharpness either!!grin Mike

24th March 2005, 04:54 PM	#6
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Man, I had a friend that kept monitors years ago (name was also Derek, coincidentally) and they are mean as hell. One of them actually shattered the glass on a tank just eating a meal!! (meal=very unfortunate rat)

24th March 2005, 05:03 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My son just got himself a baby Chinese Bearded Dragon. They are supposed to be very friendly even at full length (~ a foot) but you should only hear the crunch of crickets in it's mouth and shudder... Adults eat live mice.... Do you think it will make a good cutting test target?