Genuine crusader blade?

[Mark]

I agree that it is not Amharic or Ge'ez, which both use an alphabet that which is vaguely reminischent of the Hebrew alphabet. Found this cool web-site that shows both Amharic & Ge'ez: http://www.omniglot.com/writing/amharic.htm

Of course, I'm not being very helpful in merely confirming what it is not

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you Martin and Mark. Not being a linguist, I was not entirely convinced of this inscription in Ge'ez either, but it did not appear Arabic, nor actually does it seem to conform to any particular 'script'. The suggestion of being applied by illiterate 'craftsmen' is entirely well placed, and seems to correspond to the use of 'Thuluth' motif during the Mahdist period from Sudan and often even as far as Niger.
In viewing the hilt form while researching on this, the more modern (early 20th century) forms of takouba seem to have the tall conical pommel shape, and the crossguard of block form as well seems somewhat similar stylewise. Despite these free associations, I did not feel comfortable suggesting any Tuareg connection, as the hilt on this is certainly not as dimensional and seems more profiled.

I think the note by Martin about several swords of this type in the Tunisia area, or virtually any number of locations along the North African trade port regions. As I mentioned, the work on the mounts seem to resemble Arabic work from Yemen and Hadramaut, and the profound trade between southern Arabia and North Africa really makes this difficult without other known examples to compare.

I think we are on track with the blade though, and still believe it is early, probably late 17th to early 18th century, with the deep stamp suggesting Italian origin. As it seems agreed, the cross and orb and the 'script' seem native applied.

As always, more research!! and in discovering what something is ,often entails finding out what it is not, thus even negative observations are most important in mention I'd really like to figure out where this hilt is from !!

Best regards,
Jim

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hello Jim,

I have several Takoubas an Kaskaras, all of them I bought in their countries of origin. When I saw this sword (I mean with exactly the same hilt) in Tunisia, I was hasitating if to buy it or not and I did nit take it from two reasons: first of all it was not complete (without the sheath) and secondly - my feeling - at that time - was, that this kind of hilt was "unnatural" (it is all made fof wood, even the crossguard, covered with copper plates). After the time I changed my opinion, but I did not find the sword again. When some of my friends travel to the South Arabian countries like Yemen etc (unfortunately I heve never been there), I always ask them to make photos of swords in antique shops - you will not find such hilts there.

The mounting of the sheath resembles the mountings on Yemeni Saifs sheaths etc., but this is style has been practised e.g. by Berbers silversmiths on Djerba, too. The motif is cmommon on South - Mediterranean coast (maybe hand of "Chmesa"), also exactly the same ornamental frame you can find on Berber bracelets. The residues of leather strips on the sheath resembles gripping of Takouba (not Kaskara) sheats.

This is just my observation.

Regards,

Martin

[katana]

Interesting sword ......for future reference of this thread, I 've posted a few pictures.

Regards David
.

[Jim McDougall]

Thank you so much David! I'm glad you thought of that, as the ebay photos will disappear, so its good to have these illustrations to maintain the thread for future reference. This is really an unusual piece, and I think it will be good to continue researching, maybe another example might turn up.

Very good points Martin, and I think perhaps the sword might be likely associated more to Berber craftsmanship as you note, and even into Tuareg regions which of course cover vast geotribal areas of the Sahara. The techniques of metalworkers from Arabia or Maghrebi trade regions of course would have close connections. As noted, the tall conical pommel is recognizable as a feature on the takoubas of Niger. The diffusion of these weapons in trade route traffic in either direction makes any defined regional assignment for this piece improbable, unless other like examples are found with provenance.

All best regards,
Jim