A big happy takouba family

Jim McDougall · 16th September 2010, 04:29 AM

What an amazing grouping Iain .....thats one really happy family!!!
I think one of the most interesting things on these are the distinctly triangular profiled blades, seemingly reminiscent of those of early medieval European swords.
The bottom one with the curved blade, if I recall in Lee Jones work on takoubas, were termed 'aljuinar'.
Looking forward to more comments.....it would be great to see other takouba examples from out there to get some comparitive examination going, I know you guys out there have at least a few around

Thank you for posting these,
All the best,
Jim

Lee · 16th September 2010, 09:39 PM

I am pleased that I am not the only one afflicted by the takouba.

The top one (#5 in collections following the link below) elicits the strongest drool response for me!

In case you have missed it so far, wander over to Iain's Takouba Research Society

Iain · 16th September 2010, 10:40 PM

Hi Lee,

Very glad you chimed in. That solingen bladed example you noted was complete luck on my part. Bought it based on some rather poor photos and had no idea about the markings and expected nothing more than a rather typical piece. I had a bit of a shock when I got it in hand!

Unfortunately the current mounts don't do the blade justice (not all that well balanced) but the blade, well that at least is marvelous.

I'm attaching a shot of the blade marking for those who don't want to be bothered visiting my site, although I have to say thank you for linking to it - I've never been quite sure how to introduce it here without looking a bit pompous. By the way, feel free to submit some swords folks.

The more the merrier.

Best,

Iain

ariel · 17th September 2010, 11:26 AM

Is it my imagination, or do I see remnants of european lettering in the central fuller? D? L?

Iain · 17th September 2010, 12:39 PM

Which side of the orb do you think you see it Ariel? I'd looked for anything else before but its entirely possible I missed it...

It's got the corrosion patterns that seem to form a lot of things... But I'd be very happy if there was something more.

I'll take a look at it again tonight when I'm home from the office.

Best,

Iain

spiral · 17th September 2010, 01:07 PM

Rust can do funny things but I see a capital E.

Spiral

Iain · 17th September 2010, 01:57 PM

I can see how it would appear that way Spiral but I don't think it is. Let me post the highest rez closeup I have of the cross and orb with a different orientation.

I'd really like to find some lettering, and maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see it.

But keep trying guys you'll make me very happy if we do find an inscription!

Best,

Iain

16th September 2010, 09:39 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 998	Very nice! I am pleased that I am not the only one afflicted by the takouba. The top one (#5 in collections following the link below) elicits the strongest drool response for me! In case you have missed it so far, wander over to Iain's Takouba Research Society

16th September 2010, 10:40 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,720	Hi Lee, Very glad you chimed in. That solingen bladed example you noted was complete luck on my part. Bought it based on some rather poor photos and had no idea about the markings and expected nothing more than a rather typical piece. I had a bit of a shock when I got it in hand! Unfortunately the current mounts don't do the blade justice (not all that well balanced) but the blade, well that at least is marvelous. I'm attaching a shot of the blade marking for those who don't want to be bothered visiting my site, although I have to say thank you for linking to it - I've never been quite sure how to introduce it here without looking a bit pompous. By the way, feel free to submit some swords folks. The more the merrier. Best, Iain Attached Images

17th September 2010, 01:07 PM	#6
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Rust can do funny things but I see a capital E. Spiral Attached Images

17th September 2010, 01:57 PM	#7
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,720	I can see how it would appear that way Spiral but I don't think it is. Let me post the highest rez closeup I have of the cross and orb with a different orientation. I'd really like to find some lettering, and maybe I'm just blind, but I don't see it. But keep trying guys you'll make me very happy if we do find an inscription! Best, Iain Attached Images

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16th September 2010, 04:29 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,851	What an amazing grouping Iain .....thats one really happy family!!! I think one of the most interesting things on these are the distinctly triangular profiled blades, seemingly reminiscent of those of early medieval European swords. The bottom one with the curved blade, if I recall in Lee Jones work on takoubas, were termed 'aljuinar'. Looking forward to more comments.....it would be great to see other takouba examples from out there to get some comparitive examination going, I know you guys out there have at least a few around Thank you for posting these, All the best, Jim

17th September 2010, 11:26 AM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is it my imagination, or do I see remnants of european lettering in the central fuller? D? L?

17th September 2010, 12:39 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,720	Which side of the orb do you think you see it Ariel? I'd looked for anything else before but its entirely possible I missed it... It's got the corrosion patterns that seem to form a lot of things... But I'd be very happy if there was something more. I'll take a look at it again tonight when I'm home from the office. Best, Iain