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27th April 2025, 07:29 PM
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 10,192
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Quote:
Keep in mind that the blades used on these were invariably from many sources, most typically those entering the North African sphere as trade commodities. As with most ethnographic swords, there were local preferences regionally as far as hilts, in fact there were likely certain shops or artisans producing hilts for the mounting of blades by armorers in varied areas. Once mounted with the blades on hand, they were traded intertribally for ongoing use. Since the blades used were typically intended toward specific use patterns, the variation of blades used adjusted accordingly. In earlier times, as you note the 'pirate/cutlass' type blades were likely as they may have seen use on larger vessels which might experience deck combat. These heavy blades on vessels served also as utility items, just as cutlasses served as machetes ashore in tropical areas. From what little I know of metallurgy, blades could be heated and 'cold stamped' with markings etc. long after being originally forged. The 'trade' blades coming in over virtually centuries of course had different characteristics reflecting not only the national trade centers where they originated, but changes in blade profile, cross section and fullering which changed over time. Many blades circulated in many areas and were often carried elsewhere via the complex trade networks and intertribal trading across North Africa through generations and centuries. I recall seeing a European blade from 15th century in a Tuareg takouba which turned up a number of years ago. |
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