Marc,
Nice old "kaskara". I have a single edge sword from Kassaka with a similar cast grip, c.1986. The blade looks to me like those from Ethiopia, especially with the lion. Double fullers are common from there, but not from Sudan. Also, the tapered blade profile more like its imported also considering the gloved hand maker's marks. My guess it's an imported Abyssinian/Ethiopian gurade blade with a 4-piece welded kaskara cross-guard updated with the cast grip.
Best regards,
Ed
|