Takouba with bound scabbard

stephen wood · 26th November 2011, 07:15 PM

I thought some of our members might be interested in seeing this Takouba - it was found in a market and I don't know which region it originally came from.

The blade is well-used and flexible with very straight fullers. The scabbard is partially bound in white cotton then overbound with striped cotton strip which forms the baldric. As for the rest I will let the pictures speak for themselves.

Iain · 26th November 2011, 07:25 PM

20th century Tuareg mounts, blade probably older. I have seen modern Tuaregs carrying similarly wrapped scabbards. Not sure of the function intended, except perhaps to save wear and tear on the leather...

Here's one example. http://www2.2space.net/images/upl_ne...1316310603.jpg

Nice enough sword, the leather and cloth looks pretty fresh so probably a tourist bring back since the 60s would be my guess. Also older scabbard rings tend to be round and brass. Can't tell from the photos if yours are brass or aluminium?

stephen wood · 26th November 2011, 07:45 PM

Thanks Iain, the ring are brass and in shape something between a semicircle and a triangle. The photo is interesting - very similar material.

Iain · 27th November 2011, 05:49 PM

Hi Stephen,

Sounds like some sort of a transition to the white metal and aluminium triangular rings. I have a feeling these as well as chapes and throats were probably recycled and reused on newer leather work as required. Potentially this applies to entire brass hilts as well as I've seen heavy duty and old single piece brass hilts with leather covered guards, where it appears the handle has been cut down to accommodate the newer mounts.

I can probably dig up a few other photos, but they all generally show the same. At least recently this is something in vogue among the Tuareg. I have however, never seen this style depicted on any old photos or sketches.

Cheers,

Iain

26th November 2011, 07:15 PM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	Takouba with bound scabbard I thought some of our members might be interested in seeing this Takouba - it was found in a market and I don't know which region it originally came from. The blade is well-used and flexible with very straight fullers. The scabbard is partially bound in white cotton then overbound with striped cotton strip which forms the baldric. As for the rest I will let the pictures speak for themselves. Attached Images Last edited by stephen wood; 26th November 2011 at 11:58 PM.

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26th November 2011, 07:25 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	20th century Tuareg mounts, blade probably older. I have seen modern Tuaregs carrying similarly wrapped scabbards. Not sure of the function intended, except perhaps to save wear and tear on the leather... Here's one example. http://www2.2space.net/images/upl_ne...1316310603.jpg Nice enough sword, the leather and cloth looks pretty fresh so probably a tourist bring back since the 60s would be my guess. Also older scabbard rings tend to be round and brass. Can't tell from the photos if yours are brass or aluminium?

26th November 2011, 07:45 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	Thanks Iain, the ring are brass and in shape something between a semicircle and a triangle. The photo is interesting - very similar material.

27th November 2011, 05:49 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Hi Stephen, Sounds like some sort of a transition to the white metal and aluminium triangular rings. I have a feeling these as well as chapes and throats were probably recycled and reused on newer leather work as required. Potentially this applies to entire brass hilts as well as I've seen heavy duty and old single piece brass hilts with leather covered guards, where it appears the handle has been cut down to accommodate the newer mounts. I can probably dig up a few other photos, but they all generally show the same. At least recently this is something in vogue among the Tuareg. I have however, never seen this style depicted on any old photos or sketches. Cheers, Iain