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View Full Version : Touareg? Omani? In between? Need opinion.


ariel
15th June 2006, 10:04 PM
OK, boys, I am confused.
This one just came, bought out of pure curiosity.
The scabbard's ( obviously new) motive looks Touareg to me, as well as the bronze(brass? damn, one day I have to learn what is what...) pommel with parallel deep incisions.The tang goes all the way through and protrudes a little (but everything holds like a rock).
The blade is native, straight and very springy. It is nicely patinated and has some minimal pitting, so I would guess it is quite old. The handle looks like Omani kattara, only with lighter pommel. There are heavy traces of shiny gold-colored metal at the base of the blade on both sides (wish it were real gold... :D ).
My question: where does it come from? North Africa ( Sudan, Somali, further west), or is it a variant of the Omani Kattara? Or, is it a transitional stage ( kind of fusion sword)? What is "gold" doing here? It looks almost like remnants of plating. I know that more modern nickel plating often has copper subplating; however, there is not a trace of plating anywhere else and the stuff does not look like copper.
Help me out!

S.Al-Anizi
15th June 2006, 10:15 PM
Interesting sword Ariel, would be interested to see what this turns out to be.

katana
15th June 2006, 10:41 PM
Sorry I've no idea, but what a great sword, well done.

Are the fullers forged or ground? If forged it does, indeed, suggest good age :)

katana
15th June 2006, 10:56 PM
A similar sword described as Omani Kattara

http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photos/items/71/001971/ph-0.jpg

Michael Blalock
16th June 2006, 12:45 AM
I would guess that's an Omani or Hadrami sword that made it over to East Africa and got redecorated. I want one like that.

S.Al-Anizi
16th June 2006, 12:55 AM
I would guess that's an Omani or Hadrami sword that made it over to East Africa and got redecorated. I want one like that.

You have all kinds of rare and unique pieces Mike, you should try to get one of these in you collection.