Takouba with european blade
 

I bought it this week
Someone could helpme about the age ?
Thanks
Emmanuel

http://i84.servimg.com/u/f84/11/44/08/82/takoub10.jpg
http://i84.servimg.com/u/f84/11/44/08/82/takoub12.jpg
http://i84.servimg.com/u/f84/11/44/08/82/takoub13.jpg
http://i84.servimg.com/u/f84/11/44/08/82/takoub11.jpg

Wow!! Emmanuel, you have a treasure there in that blade. That appears to be a genuine Solingen blade from the 17th century, possibly even a Passau blade from the earlier part. The running wolf mark is distinctively associated with Passau, but became more widely used later.

It would be hard to imagine just how early this blade entered the Tuareg sphere in the Sahara, but they were traditionally sacrosanct and handed down in family and tribal units faithfully for a very long time. Since you are in France, I must imagine that this takouba may have been an item acquired in colonial situations in North Africa, and these were often obtained by troops in occupation.
This makes this piece most desirable, as most blades seen on takoubas in collections these days are native made examples.

The scabbard and mounts on these weapons are typically relatively new as these blades are constantly refurbished as desert climate and wear take thier toll, and they are often remounted as they change hands.

All best regards,
Jim

I always thought that the wolf should face to the left. My mistake or inverted pic?

Thanks for comments.
I don't receive the takouba yet.
It is the seller's photo so i don't know if the pic is inverted.

According to the Passau swordblade makers manual, Section III, item 4, article 13.....the wolf mark can be facing either direction depending on if the maker or apprentice is right or left handed, and the astronomical alignments at the time of completion. :)

Just kidding :) looking forward to seeing more when the sword arrives.

I have a Khevsur sword with mechanical damascus blade and the same mark.

Ahah! The plot thickens! :)

Is the mark similar? and directionally corroborated?

Sorry, I was imprecise. Not the wolf, the circle with the cross.

No problem! I recognize the three fuller blade....is this one that is termed the 'kaldam' ? I dont have Askhabov with me, but I seem to recall that the cross was significant in referring to blades called by this term.

BTW, note the 'twig' marks near the hilt on this blade we are discussing. These are noted in numerous captions in the Wallace Collection volumes.

Hi,
There was a maker, Heinrick Kohl, who was active in Solingen,16th Cent, who marked his blades with the Orb and the Cross as well as the Passau Wolf!!!!!!!!!!
Regards,
Norman.