Kaskara #3, which is by far the... er... shiniest of the lot, for some reason. My inspection has failed to locate any active corrosion on its surface, though very numerous areas of black, inactive rust, along with some pitting, can be seen. It's as if the blade has been galvanised, a process which, I understand, has been in use for some 150 years and might thus have been employed by European swordsmiths exporting their wares to the Sudan and nearby areas for use in kaskara manufacture. On the other hand, if galvanised, why has the blade seen such corrosion and pitting, visible on the attached photographs? I'm leaning to the hypothesis that this blade was treated after it entered the United Kingdom but have no doubt that the members here will have come across similar weapons before, and have an explanation more in line with Occam's Razor. As well as pitting and rust, the blade has the usual chips and nicks in its edge, and its tip has been flattened considerably, suggesting perhaps that it was dropped; given the lack of body armour on European (and especially British) troops at this time, I think it unlikely that the point met impenetrable plate.
This blade has proportions, unsurprisingly, broadly similar to those of our other kaskara, but is unique in having no fewer than five fullers, all of the same narrow type as on our first example, which run for (on average, accounting for minor variations in individual fuller length) 8.25in (21cm) from the base of the blade. At said base are a pair of large tabs, seemingly forge-welded or similar to the flats of the blade, and presumably intended to broaden it a little and allow the cross-guard and grip a firmer attachment to the base and tang, though that's probably an erroneous presumption. A curious aspect is the small piece of what looks like copper or perhaps gold (depending upon the light in which one views it), which can be found 10.25in (11cm) from the tip.
Moving downward, the cross-guard is loose and can be moved relatively easily, although it does not come off entirely. This I would ascribe to the partially absent wrapping of the grip, for about half of the leather strips which should bind it are missing. The grip's wood, however, appears sound, as does the remaining leather and its disc pommel. The nail passing through the grip remains in place and secure. Overall one of the more interesting kaskara we have, quite sharp and relatively flexible, if somewhat rough. For a weapon at least 126 years old, I don't think she's doing badly!
Length overall: 39.4in (100cm)
Length blade (from horizontal of cross-guard): 34in (86.4cm)
Length grip: 4.5in (11.5cm),
Width cross-guard horizontal: 5.5in (14cm)
Length of fullers (average): 8.25in (21cm) from tabs at base of blade.
Overall of sword, obverse:
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/2575/img0414y.jpg
http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/3254/img0415h.jpg
Overall, reverse:
http://img195.imageshack.us/img195/2328/img0416sz.jpg
Grip and cross-guard, obverse
http://img293.imageshack.us/img293/1274/img0419c.jpg
Grip and cross-guard, reverse:
http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/1834/img0417s.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4604/img0420h.jpg
(Note small tab in lower picture between lower vertical portion of cross-guard and grip - any ideas?)
Cross-guard and langets:
http://img46.imageshack.us/img46/2351/img0423y.jpg
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/3184/img0422fz.jpg
Cross-guard and tab, reverse:
http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/7728/img0424n.jpg
Cross-guard and tab, obverse:
http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/1575/img0425n.jpg
Pommel:
http://img69.imageshack.us/img69/8194/img0426tr.jpg
Grip, cross-guard, langets and upper portion of blade, reverse, perspective:
http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/3640/img0427g.jpg
Details of copper/gold on blade:
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/7266/img0453l.jpg
http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/3430/img0452bm.jpg
http://img109.imageshack.us/img109/3227/img0421r.jpg