Iain, I recall our discussions several years back, and we talked about the Solingen marketing acumen, and the potential of these kinds of blades destined for North African interests. The groupings of these long venerated markings from earlier smiths and blades were often keenly appreciated by the traders at these entrepots in Africa as imbuements of power and quality (=magic).
As with most 'trade' weapons to native clientele in colonial situations, the quality was often subordinate to the typically notable quality weapons for the European markets.
As we earlier noted, the overblown Solingen industry pretty much ran into steep decline with the rather abrupt end of the Franco-Prussian war and the shops scrambled to find sources for their wares.
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