Two takoubas - photos of the blade from Ghat

Jim McDougall · 1st November 2012, 08:52 PM

On these blades which entered North Africa through various entrepots into the caravan networks, they were often first brought into merchants in these centers. It is unclear exactly where many of the extant markings on these various blades were applied. However, what is clear is that they were meant to imitate known European trade markings which had often gained various talismanic and imbued power via quality in native interpretation.

The couchant lion symbol was a trademark used by C.Lutters and Co. of Solingen (Bezdek, p.147) from c.1840-modern. While uncertain how what volume of blades may have existed in the Saharan sphere from this maker, it does seem that Rodd (1926) did note a mark with couchant lion as present on the 'masri' blades.
The 'Star of Solomon' seems to have had certain presence of course but have not located notes yet. It seems quite possible that these marks which occurred on British blades as surround on proof marks might have been copied, again in the quality sense. Despite most blades being German in these regions, it is known that some British blades were known over time, I have seen Mole blades on some takouba and there must have been others.

1st November 2012, 08:52 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	On these blades which entered North Africa through various entrepots into the caravan networks, they were often first brought into merchants in these centers. It is unclear exactly where many of the extant markings on these various blades were applied. However, what is clear is that they were meant to imitate known European trade markings which had often gained various talismanic and imbued power via quality in native interpretation. The couchant lion symbol was a trademark used by C.Lutters and Co. of Solingen (Bezdek, p.147) from c.1840-modern. While uncertain how what volume of blades may have existed in the Saharan sphere from this maker, it does seem that Rodd (1926) did note a mark with couchant lion as present on the 'masri' blades. The 'Star of Solomon' seems to have had certain presence of course but have not located notes yet. It seems quite possible that these marks which occurred on British blades as surround on proof marks might have been copied, again in the quality sense. Despite most blades being German in these regions, it is known that some British blades were known over time, I have seen Mole blades on some takouba and there must have been others.