id request marking on touareg sword

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

Hi, someone seen this mark before?

Hello Congoblades
little bit complicated that mark, because at least, is contained three (3)
indications

1) location; Vendée,region in west central France, on the Atlantic Ocean
"Vendée" has been after French revolution (1789) a land of rebellion.
Their motto in battle was "Vive le roi!" and "Vive les bons prêtres!";
Long live the King, Long live the good priests and Long live the faith!
they was bearing on their clothes that "heart overcome a cross"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vend%C3%A9e

2) the marine anchor, may indicated either that the guy was a seaman, or more probably,
belonging to "colonial troops" they have this badge (anchor)

3) I didn't found an explanation for the "F. S. A." I'm confused my sagacity is at fault ...


à +

Dom

[Congoblades]

Originally Posted by Dom

2) the marine anchor, may indicated either that the guy was a seaman, or more probably,
belonging to "colonial troops" they have this badge (anchor)

Hi Dom,
Maybe this? My french is not to good, so you will understand it better than me
http://infos.fncv.com/post/2011/10/0...ts-ecologistes

The heart&cross logo is apparently still in use...
Greets
Guy

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

Hi Dom,
Maybe this? My french is not to good, so you will understand it better than me
http://infos.fncv.com/post/2011/10/0...ts-ecologistes

The heart&cross logo is apparently still in use...
Greets
Guy

Hi Guy
according with your link, it's exactly what I was suggesting you

Marine Infantry Regiment (RIMA) is a regiment of naval troops (army) of the French Army,
R.I.Ma = Régiment Infanterie de Marine either "Marines" like US
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/French_Colonial_Forces
the badge attached (pic), is the official French Army beret badge for all R.I.Ma
many troops from "Coloniale" have been to Sahara, residence for the Tuaregs, not strange to find this mark

The heart&cross logo is apparently still in use..., yes for sure, for the nostalgic of the royalty ...

ps/ your link attached was concerning a political fight between,
- some who support Army, and
- "green" who hate Army,
the "greens" was accusing the "R.I.Ma" of
"Colonialism, Militarism and religious proselytism" ... because

the Colonial's shout is, "in the name of God" - "Vive la colonial"
too much for them (green), who are anti-militarist, anti-clerical

too long to develop all argumentation, I was NCO during my military service,
as for me, the army is "sacred", it is not negotiable

à +

Dom

attached a pic for a badge of "Colonial regiment in Sahara",

Established in 1903 as a group of N'Guigmi meharist (camel riders) .
Becomes nomadic group N'Guigmi 1 January 1958.
Becomes nomadic group No. 9 on 1 December 1958.
Becomes nomadic 9egroupe 1 January 1961.
Dissolved on 30 September 1962.

Explanation of symbols
The head of camel and palm symbolizes the vocation of the unit
you have your evidence ... camel = Tuareg + anchor for "R.I.Ma"

[Ferguson]

http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/i...hp/t63614.html

Symbol looks very similar

"The cross, the anchor, and the heart represent the three theological virtues of faith, hope and charity respectivily. It is based on the cross and anchor symbol used by the early Christians in the catacombs, the added heart representing humanity. Many Catholic missionary services use this symbol."


Steve

[Iain]

I think the French military connection looks very probable now - if the mark is "scratched" and not stamped it seems likely a French service member could have requested it when purchasing or ordering the sword.

[Congoblades]

Originally Posted by Iain

I think the French military connection looks very probable now - if the mark is "scratched" and not stamped it seems likely a French service member could have requested it when purchasing or ordering the sword.

It is not "scratched", its a smooth ?mechanical stamped mark.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

It is not "scratched", its a smooth ?mechanical stamped mark.

Well that makes it more puzzling to me and kind of throws out the French service member theory. I'm back to wondering about scrap steel.

[Dom]

Originally Posted by Ferguson

http://www.toytowngermany.com/lofi/i...hp/t63614.html Symbol looks very similar

Good Day Steve
may I bring a precision about the cross that you display
this particular cross, has an history, and signification, unfortunately, not exactly as you mentionned

your cross, it's a "Camargue" cross ...
the Camargue cross is an emblem created by the artist Hermann Paul in 1924 at the request of the Marquis Folco de Baroncelli.
the cross for faith
the anchor for hope
the heart for love
the three-pronged forks at the top not only represent tridents, but also the tool used by "manadiers" (cowboys) (manade; is as bull farm established on Rhone delta, front to Mediterranean sea) see for more details http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manade

all the best

à +

Dom

[Jim McDougall]

It is interesting that the heart topped by the cross was an early 'balemark' or 'merchants mark' used by the East India Co. with quartered heart holding initials VEIC, and later altered with the cross becoming the number 4.
The cross and orb was also a very commonly seen device on many of the blades seen in the Sudan and Saharan regions. Naturally the association is tenuous at best, but worth mentioning.

I think the suggestions regarding the French device are well placed, and of course French colonial presence would easily allow for this marking either being present in these contexts. It is tempting to consider the meaning of the acronym and this traditional French symbol being represented in this inscribed device, but puzzling why it would have been placed with such detail on a native takouba blade. It seems that the position to the side on the blade resembles that of trademarks of steel firms seen in these kinds of positions on blades from British firms and on kaskaras in Sudan. Again, not even close to conclusive but worthy of consideration.

The anchor component is interesting, but nothing that native artisans would likely copy, and why would someone in a French unit or organization be using a takouba?

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

The anchor component is interesting, but nothing that native artisans would likely copy, and why would someone in a French unit or organization be using a takouba?

My line of thinking was customized tourist bring back by a French service member... Could be totally off, but that just seems the most likely to me. Memento of a tour in the region perhaps...