kaskara konundrum

[stephen wood]

...I am certain that the blade is from India - I have something very similar (no eyelashes) with a typical tulwar hilt. As for grinding a single-edged blade (with, maybe, a false edge) into a double edged blade, there is precedent.

I suppose the nightmare scenario would be that it was put together from parts by a late-Victorian enthusiast who had seen images of the kaskara in the press. If it was hilted in the Sudan, why was the customary crossguard not fitted.

As for Indian weapons in North Africa - I recall seeing a tulwar in the National Army Museum which was picked up during the Egyptian campaign after an engagement with Mamelukes...