Takouba with a Potentially Older Blade

[TVV]

While the fittings on this takouba are fairly unremarkable - second half of the 20th century based on the stacked pommel and in poor shape, I acquired it because of the blade. It has a well-executed fuller and more interestingly is marked with a running wolf on one side and a cross and orb on the other. The marks are crisp and appear to be struck, not chiseled. There also appear to be traces of latten in the marks, especially in the cross and orb. This all leads to believe that this is a European blade, not a native one.

Back while taouba.org was still on, Iain had a sword there under number 130 with very similar markings. He dated its blade to the 17th century. What is your opinion on this one - European or African imitation blade, and if European, how would you date it?

[Ian]

The stamped markings notwithstanding, this does not look like a 17th C blade to me. The steel shows no old patina or oxidation as best I can see. The course grinding marks suggest local manufacture.