Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 6th July 2019, 03:45 PM

This is another amazing find Iain!!!
It is so heartening to see these blades still serving for not only generations but centuries!! It leads to wondering just how long it had been in the Taureg sphere. Was it among those early shipments of blades which came into the Sahara via trade routes described in the Briggs (1965) reference?
What is the estimated vintage of the hilt now in situ?

So many questions, and it perfectly exemplifys how Briggs brought forth one of the treasured sources of early European blades and makers often referred to in that field of study, via the conduit of Saharan swords. His work stands solid as one of the valuable resources on these blades in Africa.

It is interesting seeing this upper centrally situated fuller, to about 1/3 of the blade or slightly longer, as well as the application of the globus cruciger on one side and running wolf in the other, and in latten as often discussed.

A perfect benchmark in the study of these European blades, and how native imitations followed in later centuries.

Thank you for sharing this!!!

6th July 2019, 03:45 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,741	This is another amazing find Iain!!! It is so heartening to see these blades still serving for not only generations but centuries!! It leads to wondering just how long it had been in the Taureg sphere. Was it among those early shipments of blades which came into the Sahara via trade routes described in the Briggs (1965) reference? What is the estimated vintage of the hilt now in situ? So many questions, and it perfectly exemplifys how Briggs brought forth one of the treasured sources of early European blades and makers often referred to in that field of study, via the conduit of Saharan swords. His work stands solid as one of the valuable resources on these blades in Africa. It is interesting seeing this upper centrally situated fuller, to about 1/3 of the blade or slightly longer, as well as the application of the globus cruciger on one side and running wolf in the other, and in latten as often discussed. A perfect benchmark in the study of these European blades, and how native imitations followed in later centuries. Thank you for sharing this!!!