Kaskara for Comment.

Valjhun · 2nd August 2009, 09:40 PM

Not as nice as katanas' one, but with a rather interesting indigenous (?) and very old blade.

Any comments?

TVV · 2nd August 2009, 11:43 PM

To me the blade looks like a 19th century trade blade, which is heavily rusted. It could be locally made from the same period though. The crossguard would determine this hilt to be from Darfur.
Regards,
Teodor

colin henshaw · 3rd August 2009, 07:09 AM

Nice - I like the form of the crossguard....

Regards

Jim McDougall · 3rd August 2009, 10:39 PM

Valjhun, this is also a beauty!! Mostly as it is a true old warrior, and as Teodor has well observed, this crossguard with the distinctive 'X' in its center is characteristic it seems on the Darfur sa'ifs (kaskara).

Another characteristic for Darfur is the use of crocodile hide on the grips. I sometimes wonder if the also distinct harlequin pattern in silverwork grips on Darfur examples might be stylized representation of crocodile hide. Just a thought, despite the fact that the lozenge shape geometric is an element of the material culture symbolism in these regions, but mentioned just the same.

The blade is what is considered in some writings, a 'masri'. The distinct 'dukari' (opposed crescent moons) are characteristic, and it seems Briggs considers these of Hausa manufacture, probably from the west.
I would concur with the 19th century, possibly one of the early blades from about 1840's, these are not often found with this much patination and pitting. The blades were typically often refurbished as they changed hands in trade or inheritance.

Best regards,
Jim

katana · 4th August 2009, 10:47 PM

Hi Valjhun,
this is a very nice Kaskara, I especially like the flared cross guard

and the croc hide grip

.

Where abouts is the balance point on your sword ?

Regards David

stephen wood · 10th August 2009, 10:25 PM

...why do we think such a crossguard is from Darfur? Is there any evidence?

Jim McDougall · 27th August 2009, 08:10 AM

Stephen,
The Darfur attribution comes primarily from the Graham Reed article on kaskaras from Darfur, in which this characteristic is seen on examples with other hilt features with some consistancy. The much more simple examples from eastern Sudanese regions, especially the Mahdist examples, have crossguards usually not quite as flared, no central X, and some even have brass crossguards.
I would suspect there may be more symbolism found in this feature, and this would be an interesting topic to discuss further.

Best regards,
Jim

2nd August 2009, 09:40 PM	#1
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	Kaskara for Comment. Not as nice as katanas' one, but with a rather interesting indigenous (?) and very old blade. Any comments? Attached Images Last edited by Valjhun; 2nd August 2009 at 09:53 PM.

10th August 2009, 10:25 PM	#6
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...why do we think such a crossguard is from Darfur? Is there any evidence? Attached Images

2nd August 2009, 11:43 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,598	To me the blade looks like a 19th century trade blade, which is heavily rusted. It could be locally made from the same period though. The crossguard would determine this hilt to be from Darfur. Regards, Teodor

3rd August 2009, 07:09 AM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Nice - I like the form of the crossguard.... Regards

3rd August 2009, 10:39 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Valjhun, this is also a beauty!! Mostly as it is a true old warrior, and as Teodor has well observed, this crossguard with the distinctive 'X' in its center is characteristic it seems on the Darfur sa'ifs (kaskara). Another characteristic for Darfur is the use of crocodile hide on the grips. I sometimes wonder if the also distinct harlequin pattern in silverwork grips on Darfur examples might be stylized representation of crocodile hide. Just a thought, despite the fact that the lozenge shape geometric is an element of the material culture symbolism in these regions, but mentioned just the same. The blade is what is considered in some writings, a 'masri'. The distinct 'dukari' (opposed crescent moons) are characteristic, and it seems Briggs considers these of Hausa manufacture, probably from the west. I would concur with the 19th century, possibly one of the early blades from about 1840's, these are not often found with this much patination and pitting. The blades were typically often refurbished as they changed hands in trade or inheritance. Best regards, Jim

4th August 2009, 10:47 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Valjhun, this is a very nice Kaskara, I especially like the flared cross guard and the croc hide grip . Where abouts is the balance point on your sword ? Regards David

27th August 2009, 08:10 AM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,747	Stephen, The Darfur attribution comes primarily from the Graham Reed article on kaskaras from Darfur, in which this characteristic is seen on examples with other hilt features with some consistancy. The much more simple examples from eastern Sudanese regions, especially the Mahdist examples, have crossguards usually not quite as flared, no central X, and some even have brass crossguards. I would suspect there may be more symbolism found in this feature, and this would be an interesting topic to discuss further. Best regards, Jim