Hi David, thank you very much for responding! Very much appreciated.
That is a very good question, and unfortunately as with most works on weaponry, symbolism may be noted in observation, but seldom are there any further details on the meanings or possible origins of these features.
That is left to those of us who research
In the article Reed notes, " ...regarding date, all that can be said is that the decoration and quillon shapes are consistant with swords of the highest quality, made for, and in the time of Ali Dinar (1899-1916)".
It is further noted in reference to another blade in the article, that it came from 'before the time of Kasalla'. Apparantly many of these swords were fashioned in that city, which in more recent times has continued making of swords and weapons (see the brilliant article presented by Ed Hunley in our archived material). With that being the case these kaskaras were then known as 'sa'if Kasallawi' , and as noted many times through the years....these have never been termed kaskaras in either Darfur or the Sudan, only sa'if.
Since the swords described in Reed's article were apparantly of this style and motif from Dinar's time, and in many cases even being refurbished carrying forth these traditional characteristics, it would seem that the features must have been adopted following key symbolism of those times. Since there seems to be a certain degree of variation, though with essentially the same leitmotif, perhaps these geometrics and symbols may have connections to the Senussi following. Another key feature which seems consistant on these Darfur hilts is the distinct X on the crossguard center.
I would say that the features of these hilts became popular in the time of Ali Dinar, and may have developed from embellished forms of decoration or symbolism already in the regions at the time. It should be noted that there are many examples of Darfur associated kaskara which are much more of simple form without the repousse silver grips etc, often simple wood disc pommels. Also, the diamond shape in the repousse work may occur in the crosswork pattern as in this example, as well as in the 'harlequin' pattern, which is a vertical linear pattern of diamond shapes.
Hopefully there will be other responses here, though the ambiguous title is not likely to draw the attention of kaskara enthusiasts. In any case, as always, research continues
All the best, and thank you again David,
Jim