Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

stephen wood · 22nd November 2011, 01:31 PM

...what does that last line mean?

It is a very light and flexible blade, and, I agree, probably European - most interesting for me is the fact that the mark is made with a stamp - that is, a die made to quickly produce an identical mark on a number of blades. It is placed for visibility (in contrast, Solingen-produced kaskara blades are often marked just above or on the tang). One characteristic of stamps is their tendency towards illegibility, and this might be the case here.

Also of note is the koftgari hilt (it was previously mounted with another hilt with a blade support which we are used to seeing in firanghis). The inlay has worn away in such a way as to show that the index finger was hooked over the guard.

Thank you all for your comments.

22nd November 2011, 01:31 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...what does that last line mean? It is a very light and flexible blade, and, I agree, probably European - most interesting for me is the fact that the mark is made with a stamp - that is, a die made to quickly produce an identical mark on a number of blades. It is placed for visibility (in contrast, Solingen-produced kaskara blades are often marked just above or on the tang). One characteristic of stamps is their tendency towards illegibility, and this might be the case here. Also of note is the koftgari hilt (it was previously mounted with another hilt with a blade support which we are used to seeing in firanghis). The inlay has worn away in such a way as to show that the index finger was hooked over the guard. Thank you all for your comments.