Silver Hilted Kaskara for comment

Wisram · 11th December 2014, 05:53 PM

Hello
I am a new member but a long time knife enthusiast.
I recently got this Kaskara sword that apparently was brought from Africa in WWII and had since lied in a dark corner of the house (previous owner).
It is a little longer then 1 meter, blade has pitting but some kind of decorative etch can be seen on the upper 2/3 of the blade.
On both sides of the ricasso there is a stamp that reads something like "z3002..." or "zs002" I am not really sure.
I was told by a fellow collector that he suspects the blade is Ethiopian. Is it?

The Hilt is silver and so are the metal parts of the scabbard.
The scabbard however is not leather covered but some kind of cloth,
and all is left of the leather straps is a short piece.

I would love to hear your opinion on this sword and any educating detail you can share,
Thank you,
Wisram

fernando · 11th December 2014, 08:04 PM

Welcome to the forum, Wisram

and ... what about some pictures ?

Wisram · 12th December 2014, 06:36 AM

Sorry about that, I thought I posted pictures. Trying again.

Iain · 12th December 2014, 08:37 AM

Yes, that's a European blade made for Ethiopia. Not sure of the exact context of the numbered marking, possibly simply a batch identifier.

Nice piece.

Wisram · 12th December 2014, 01:25 PM

Thank you Iain. Any way to estimate the age of this sword?

Iain · 12th December 2014, 02:26 PM

I think when dating pieces like this, its important to make a distinction between the blade and the fittings.

The blade looks to be late 19th century. The hilt and fittings later, at a rough guess mid 20th century. But there are other forum members better at estimating that than myself. Ed is probably the forum member best suited for that and hopefully he sees this thread.

Wisram · 12th December 2014, 08:56 PM

Thanks again.

11th December 2014, 05:53 PM	#1
Wisram Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 11	Silver Hilted Kaskara for comment Hello I am a new member but a long time knife enthusiast. I recently got this Kaskara sword that apparently was brought from Africa in WWII and had since lied in a dark corner of the house (previous owner). It is a little longer then 1 meter, blade has pitting but some kind of decorative etch can be seen on the upper 2/3 of the blade. On both sides of the ricasso there is a stamp that reads something like "z3002..." or "zs002" I am not really sure. I was told by a fellow collector that he suspects the blade is Ethiopian. Is it? The Hilt is silver and so are the metal parts of the scabbard. The scabbard however is not leather covered but some kind of cloth, and all is left of the leather straps is a short piece. I would love to hear your opinion on this sword and any educating detail you can share, Thank you, Wisram

12th December 2014, 06:36 AM	#3
Wisram Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 11	Sorry about that, I thought I posted pictures. Trying again. Attached Images

11th December 2014, 08:04 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Welcome to the forum, Wisram and ... what about some pictures ?

12th December 2014, 08:37 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Yes, that's a European blade made for Ethiopia. Not sure of the exact context of the numbered marking, possibly simply a batch identifier. Nice piece.

12th December 2014, 01:25 PM	#5
Wisram Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 11	Thank you Iain. Any way to estimate the age of this sword?

12th December 2014, 02:26 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	I think when dating pieces like this, its important to make a distinction between the blade and the fittings. The blade looks to be late 19th century. The hilt and fittings later, at a rough guess mid 20th century. But there are other forum members better at estimating that than myself. Ed is probably the forum member best suited for that and hopefully he sees this thread.

12th December 2014, 08:56 PM	#7
Wisram Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Posts: 11	Thanks again.