Markings on a Takouba-mounted European Backsword

Iain · 8th April 2016, 02:14 PM

Yep, best to contact the carrier stateside, did you try the tracking number in the USPS site?

blue lander · 8th April 2016, 04:42 PM

Yeah, I tried entering the tracking on the usps site but it doesn't have any records. I contacted usps and they basically said they have no record of the package and no idea where it is. I'm asking the seller to contact colissimo but I'm not sure if he will...

Kubur · 8th April 2016, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue lander

Yeah, I tried entering the tracking on the usps site but it doesn't have any records. I contacted usps and they basically said they have no record of the package and no idea where it is. I'm asking the seller to contact colissimo but I'm not sure if he will...

Hi
I'm really sorry for you.
I know the site where you got your sword.
There are a lot of cheaters.
The guy should provide you the original tracking number.
Remember also the customs, maybe your stuff is blocked somewhere...

Good luck
Kubur

blue lander · 17th May 2016, 02:11 AM

Well, it took longer than I expected but it finally arrived! I'll take better pictures tomorrow but I've attached a photo of the only writing I see on the blade. I don't see Toscania anywhere, just the below word. If you look at it upside down (with the edge facing upward) it sort of looks like it says ZANCONA but with the N's backwards.

kronckew · 17th May 2016, 08:54 AM

glad you finally got it. interesting sword. i have a kaskara coming from france to the UK, shipped 5 days ago via colissimo. tracking says it' in switzerland.hope i do better with it's delivery.

here's a cyrillic alphabet from bulgaria - note the nackwards Ns are western Is

the 'Z' apears to be an earlier form of the modern cyrillic 'З', ='Ze'. not sure what that last letter would be. could be an early version of whatever. i'm not versed in ancient non western alphabets, of which there are a zillion.

i flipped the sword to make it easier to see

blue lander · 17th May 2016, 01:21 PM

Hopefully someone can make heads or tails of it.

I can't find my good camera but here are two more pictures I took from my phone.

Assuming it is Cyrillic, and the backwards N's are I's and the C's are S's, maybe it says Zmissia or Zaissia? That second character could be an A, an M, or maybe a Yus

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yus

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th May 2016, 10:25 AM

I note the appearance in this line of capitals of two Majescule A which may be compared with The Odd Sword ,,,marks... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=sword

As far as I could deduce the letters were A 5 I IJ IJ A with two Majescule A one at each end of the string of letters.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 26th May 2016, 09:08 PM

The best way to understand the swords in the Sahel and environs is to see http://iainnorman.com/

Jim McDougall · 27th May 2016, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

The best way to understand the swords in the Sahel and environs is to see http://iainnorman.com/

Well done Ibrahiim!! Perfect link to Iain's site, and the terrific insight into the weapons and culture of the Tuareg's and surrounding tribal groups.
Anyone collecting or interested in these arms definitely needs to read these detailed and observant essays and notes.

Iain · 27th May 2016, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Well done Ibrahiim!! Perfect link to Iain's site, and the terrific insight into the weapons and culture of the Tuareg's and surrounding tribal groups.
Anyone collecting or interested in these arms definitely needs to read these detailed and observant essays and notes.

I'm flattered folks, but please keep in my what you find on that link are only one person's opinion.

17th May 2016, 02:11 AM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Well, it took longer than I expected but it finally arrived! I'll take better pictures tomorrow but I've attached a photo of the only writing I see on the blade. I don't see Toscania anywhere, just the below word. If you look at it upside down (with the edge facing upward) it sort of looks like it says ZANCONA but with the N's backwards. Attached Images

17th May 2016, 08:54 AM	#5
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,232	glad you finally got it. interesting sword. i have a kaskara coming from france to the UK, shipped 5 days ago via colissimo. tracking says it' in switzerland.hope i do better with it's delivery. here's a cyrillic alphabet from bulgaria - note the nackwards Ns are western Is the 'Z' apears to be an earlier form of the modern cyrillic 'З', ='Ze'. not sure what that last letter would be. could be an early version of whatever. i'm not versed in ancient non western alphabets, of which there are a zillion. i flipped the sword to make it easier to see Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 17th May 2016 at 09:37 AM.

17th May 2016, 01:21 PM	#6
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Hopefully someone can make heads or tails of it. I can't find my good camera but here are two more pictures I took from my phone. Assuming it is Cyrillic, and the backwards N's are I's and the C's are S's, maybe it says Zmissia or Zaissia? That second character could be an A, an M, or maybe a Yus https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yus Attached Images Last edited by blue lander; 17th May 2016 at 05:54 PM.

18th May 2016, 10:25 AM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I note the appearance in this line of capitals of two Majescule A which may be compared with The Odd Sword ,,,marks... http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=sword As far as I could deduce the letters were A 5 I IJ IJ A with two Majescule A one at each end of the string of letters. Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 18th May 2016 at 11:35 AM.

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8th April 2016, 02:14 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Yep, best to contact the carrier stateside, did you try the tracking number in the USPS site?

8th April 2016, 04:42 PM	#2
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	Yeah, I tried entering the tracking on the usps site but it doesn't have any records. I contacted usps and they basically said they have no record of the package and no idea where it is. I'm asking the seller to contact colissimo but I'm not sure if he will...

26th May 2016, 09:08 PM	#8
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The best way to understand the swords in the Sahel and environs is to see http://iainnorman.com/