Native North African sword

ariel · 6th March 2008, 06:32 PM

I think we have a hybrid here.
Originally, it was a Kattara, as evidenced by the blade and the typical outline of the handle.
However, the scabbard, with its parallel leather strips , looks very Manding. Especially the "drag" portion of it ( the best preserved one) is very, very, very Manding! And, of course, the handle: the Omani solid and heavy counterweight pommel was lost (discarded?) and a flimsy cap was put in its place. The top was also sharpened sometimes on route from Oman to West Africa.
Well traveled sword...
With the current fascination by canine designer breeds, such as Cockapoo, Labrapoo, Chihuastiffe , a mix of Chihuahua and Neapolitan Mastiffe (not yet developed, but certainly coming soon to the "PetWorld" near you) we may start paying more attention to the transitional forms of weapons. Most likely, they will tell us something important about ancient migrations and clashes of civilizations.

6th March 2008, 06:32 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I think we have a hybrid here. Originally, it was a Kattara, as evidenced by the blade and the typical outline of the handle. However, the scabbard, with its parallel leather strips , looks very Manding. Especially the "drag" portion of it ( the best preserved one) is very, very, very Manding! And, of course, the handle: the Omani solid and heavy counterweight pommel was lost (discarded?) and a flimsy cap was put in its place. The top was also sharpened sometimes on route from Oman to West Africa. Well traveled sword... With the current fascination by canine designer breeds, such as Cockapoo, Labrapoo, Chihuastiffe , a mix of Chihuahua and Neapolitan Mastiffe (not yet developed, but certainly coming soon to the "PetWorld" near you) we may start paying more attention to the transitional forms of weapons. Most likely, they will tell us something important about ancient migrations and clashes of civilizations.