How old is this Kaskara?

harrywagner · 7th October 2015, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I always hesitate to use the term 'tourist' or 'fake' as in ethnographic weapons these traditional items are often proudly worn as status symbols and accoutrements of distinction by these people . While often they may be 'purchased' by tourists as souveniers, they are still often produced faithfully to traditional standards despite commercialism always finding other options.

Thanks Jim. I call this one a fake only because I think it has been altered to look much older than it actually is. I don't see how 65 years of ceremonial use could do this. Well, maybe if part of your ceremony involved dragging it behind your car!

I share your appreciation of ethnographic weapons. I don't mind contemporary pieces. Age is not much of a consideration for me since the overall design of many of these weapons has not changed in eons. I consider that a luxury.

Harry

Rick · 8th October 2015, 12:13 AM

I think that's honest wear and tear, Harry.
Let's figure it for 60 years old.

Jim McDougall · 8th October 2015, 12:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

I think that's honest wear and tear, Harry.
Let's figure it for 60 years old.

Kinda like us huh Rick!!???

plus a few years, and we're still pretty solid.

harrywagner · 8th October 2015, 01:06 AM

Thanks everyone for the help and info. As a new collector I appreciate it very much.

Jim - thank you especially. this is excellent, and valuable, info I would probably never have discovered myself.

Beat up as it is I still like it. It has many interesting features that keep drawing me back for another look. The little half-moons for example. I'll keep it for now. It will find life much easier now after what it's been thru. No pun intended.

Cheers!
Harry

Jim McDougall · 8th October 2015, 12:20 AM

Thanks for the response Harry,
Well noted on contemporary items. While considerable wear is of course a factor in examining these weapons, their form and character of their elements must also be considered.

As always, it is impossible to fully qualify all possibilities of use and ownership of these weapons, and the mention of ceremonial use in the case of Hadendoa was of course incidental. I meant to imply that they were not necessarily intended for warfare.

These kaskara were also typically refurbished many times as they changed hands, so various alterations not surprising, and the quality of work may have been less than adequate in many cases. The conditions in which these might have been kept certainly could have bearing on their appearance.

8th October 2015, 12:13 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,365	I think that's honest wear and tear, Harry. Let's figure it for 60 years old.

8th October 2015, 01:06 AM	#4
harrywagner Member Join Date: Jul 2015 Posts: 373	Thanks everyone for the help and info. As a new collector I appreciate it very much. Jim - thank you especially. this is excellent, and valuable, info I would probably never have discovered myself. Beat up as it is I still like it. It has many interesting features that keep drawing me back for another look. The little half-moons for example. I'll keep it for now. It will find life much easier now after what it's been thru. No pun intended. Cheers! Harry

8th October 2015, 12:20 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,585	Thanks for the response Harry, Well noted on contemporary items. While considerable wear is of course a factor in examining these weapons, their form and character of their elements must also be considered. As always, it is impossible to fully qualify all possibilities of use and ownership of these weapons, and the mention of ceremonial use in the case of Hadendoa was of course incidental. I meant to imply that they were not necessarily intended for warfare. These kaskara were also typically refurbished many times as they changed hands, so various alterations not surprising, and the quality of work may have been less than adequate in many cases. The conditions in which these might have been kept certainly could have bearing on their appearance.