Takouba and Kaskara

[Yvain]

Hi Marc,

You're right, learning from each other is one of the great strength of this forum ! Though as I am but a student on the subject, do not take for granted what I said, and I'm looking forward to seeing more of your swords !

[Marc M.]

Greetings
At last i've found some time to take more pictures of the swords,its going slow but one by one.
First is the takouba saber (aljuinar) probably from the Nigerian/Cameroon border (Fulani?) its a single edge, double fuller blade, military grade blade (French). No markings on the blade.
Flexible, light but strong blade. Only the last 20 cm near the tip is sharp, there is a damage on the blade, a piece is missing probably during the forging/ hardening proces.
The handle is wrapped with leather strings,brass pommel.The crossgard is in leather with simple decorations on both sides. The scabbard is simple in decorations but well made at the tip same style of leather wrapping as on the grip, mounts are missing.
Measurements: oal 95 cm; blade lenght 77cm; blade at the handle 3,2 cm; thick 7 mm at the handle.
Looking forwards on your comments/ feedback.

Marc

[Marc M.]

Hi
More pictures and info off the takouba with the brass handle.
Solid brass handle, on the cross gard are two small copper plates, in the center a triangular shape in what appears a lead covering. The pommel is ovoid rather small with one copper plate on top. Similar examples on the net indicates its from the Cameroon/Nigerean area.
Its a single fuller blade, the fuller is well made,not grinded. The blade has a good flex, sharp and looks like it has been sharpend a lot, with the typical ruff markings on the edges.The scabard is in a good condition with some decorations on the leather but fairly simple, round brass rings on the mounts.
I have no idea off age and origin of the blade so comments are verry welcome.
Oal; 96.3 cm, sword lenght; 95.7 cm, blade lenght; 82 cm, blade wide; 4.5 cm,
blade thickness at the handle; 4.3mm, at the tip; 2.2 mm.

Greetings
Marc