Sudanese Kaskara ? Comments welcome

katana · 16th April 2006, 09:16 PM

Just acquired this Kaskara?, not ornate and I believe a local blade. I haven't received it yet so that is not definite. Possibly very late 19th C but more than likely early 20th. The sword is 95cm from pommel to tip, the blade 80cm, the handle and guard are leather covered. The guard concerns me, first of all the leather covering, so far, I have never seen an example like this, usually the guard is plain metal with langets.
If anyone has any info or comments, please feel free to add them, thankyou.

Flavio · 16th April 2006, 09:19 PM

Hello Katana, this isn't a sudanese kaskara, but a toukuba, a sword of the Western Africa (tuareg, hausa).

Rick · 16th April 2006, 09:22 PM

That's a Takouba ... (beat me to it Flavio)

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=takouba

katana · 16th April 2006, 10:59 PM

Thankyou both,
I appreciate the sword's condition isn't A1, is it worth me 'restoring' it (improving it myself, or by a 'restorer'). I have little idea as to it's worth.

Or, with older examples (which I believe this to be), is this condition usual ?
Is there anyway I can identify it's age?

Rick · 16th April 2006, 11:12 PM

The only restoring I'd do is to remove the red surface rust gently from the blade .
My .02

Jim McDougall · 17th April 2006, 12:00 AM

Katana,
As has been pointed out, this is the traditional takouba of Tuareg tribes of the Saharan regions of North Africa. There is an outstanding article written by our own Dr.Lee Jones on this site if you will look at the home page. These swords are still carried to date by these tribesmen and your example seems, like most found, probably 20th century, and less than 100 years old.
Best regards,
Jim

16th April 2006, 09:16 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Sudanese Kaskara ? Comments welcome Just acquired this Kaskara?, not ornate and I believe a local blade. I haven't received it yet so that is not definite. Possibly very late 19th C but more than likely early 20th. The sword is 95cm from pommel to tip, the blade 80cm, the handle and guard are leather covered. The guard concerns me, first of all the leather covering, so far, I have never seen an example like this, usually the guard is plain metal with langets. If anyone has any info or comments, please feel free to add them, thankyou. Attached Images Last edited by katana; 16th April 2006 at 10:38 PM.

16th April 2006, 09:19 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Katana, this isn't a sudanese kaskara, but a toukuba, a sword of the Western Africa (tuareg, hausa).

16th April 2006, 09:22 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	That's a Takouba ... (beat me to it Flavio) http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=takouba

16th April 2006, 10:59 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thankyou both, I appreciate the sword's condition isn't A1, is it worth me 'restoring' it (improving it myself, or by a 'restorer'). I have little idea as to it's worth. Or, with older examples (which I believe this to be), is this condition usual ? Is there anyway I can identify it's age?

16th April 2006, 11:12 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	The only restoring I'd do is to remove the red surface rust gently from the blade . My .02

17th April 2006, 12:00 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,955	Katana, As has been pointed out, this is the traditional takouba of Tuareg tribes of the Saharan regions of North Africa. There is an outstanding article written by our own Dr.Lee Jones on this site if you will look at the home page. These swords are still carried to date by these tribesmen and your example seems, like most found, probably 20th century, and less than 100 years old. Best regards, Jim