Kaskara

[William Fox]

Thanks Jim for such great information. I will read Ed's work this week. I do recall reading it some time ago, but clearly didn't retain the information as you have done!

[Jim McDougall]

Im glad I could add what I could here William, and I am always grateful to you and others who have posted these kaskara over the years. There are so many great discussions on these pages over the past two decades, and we have all learned so much together.

On these cross and orb, the true European examples are never placed at the forte of the blade, and the cross has equal arms, not flattened like this. While there were some European blades mounted in kaskara, many were quite old and had passed through many generations. The swordsmiths in Sudan became extremely skilled at crafting blades of European style, and adding their interpretations of the familiar markings on them.

Yours is a great example and as noted these braided lines suggest this to be a very good one with such a scabbard. Ed's work has been an invaluable work that has been constantly referred to by most of us here through the years, so it is ever present in discussions.

[Iain]

Agree with Ed and Jim, 20th century, likely 1920-1950s blade, locally made the marks imitating the well respected and desired Kull pattern from the mid 19th century.

[Martin Lubojacky]

I am not owner of the sword on the picture below (and I don´t have more pictures). It is Ethiopian seif... Is the stamp original Kull?

[Jim McDougall]

Actually no, this is simply a lion in similar character in couched (lying) position in the manner of this example but not oriented the same. It seems possible that these may have some reference to the Lion of Judah which was the royal emblem of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia but these lions are with crown and lion holding a banner. Whatever the case, it seems more an allusion to quality or such blade imbuement.


The rampant lion used by Kull (attached) seems similar to the 'perillo' mark of Spanish swordsmith Julian Del Rey which was supposed to be a 'little dog' but looks more like a lion. The use of Spanish marks was common in Solingen.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

I am not owner of the sword on the picture below (and I don´t have more pictures). It is Ethiopian seif... Is the stamp original Kull?

Hi Martin, as Jim has stated this does not appear to be a Kull blade, but to my eyes does look to be a European stamp, especially considering the volume of blades Ethiopia imported from European suppliers. This could be from any number of the workshops operating around Solingen in the 19th century.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Thank you Jim and Iain, I saw the sword - it was definitely rehilted. The blade is of high quality - still absolutely straight, strong, flexible. The stamp seems to be too much detailed/realistic - to be of local production.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Maybe Agip-Eni ?