Takouba sabres

Iain · 21st June 2010, 09:12 AM

On request some details of two curved takouba I have.

Both are single edged. The first has a very thick forged blade with broad fuller, was collected from a Fulbe tribesman in the 1970s (but not by myself unfortunately, I'd love to make the trip someday). I believe it is quite a bit older however as the quality is excellent.

Iain · 21st June 2010, 09:13 AM

The second sword is newer, of typical Tuareg form with stacked pommel and sticked leather hilt covering. Makers mark is one I'm unfamiliar with... Bad condition on the blade, but I'm slowly polishing out the worst of it.

Jim McDougall · 21st June 2010, 05:22 PM

Interesting examples which according to Dr. Lee Jones field research are termed 'alguinjar' in local parlances in Tuareg cases, however uncertain if the Fula people or others who used takoubas have corresponding terms of thier own. The term seems to specify curved bladed.

This example interestingly has a pommel element which corresponds to certain Cameroon weapons, and it should be noted that the Fulbe (Anglicized term for Fulani) are the predominant ethnic group in the Adamawa regions of Cameroon. The blade on this example appears to be a 19th century cavalry sabre blade which has had the point rebated much in the standard style for takoubas of regular straight blade form.

The second example seems to have a modern sheet steel type blade, with the characteristic corrosion in patches where the protective galvanization has worn away I believe. This is relatively common in modern Saharan and Sudanese edged weapons with these kinds of blades. The inscribed symbol is the cross with orbed terminals, which typically signifies the four cardinal directions, and may have any number of meanings either talismanically or traditionally. It is not perceived as a makers mark or in the significance of the other markings described on these weapons.

Iain · 21st June 2010, 06:12 PM

As always thanks for your informative input Jim.

I should mention the first example, having checked my notes, was actually collected in Cameroon - so your observation is quite correct! While I'm no expert in European cavalry blades I'd be very surprised if this blade is not native. The fuller is roughly forged with poor symmetry in places.

On the second one, yes, blade is of typical quality. A much lighter weapon, both in actual weight and feel.

Tim Simmons · 21st June 2010, 06:57 PM

These are rather nice. The one with the metal pommel I assume is a copper/tin/zinc alloy rather than aluminium? I think the blades look great and I might say; are they really a copy of European forms? I post pictures of mine. Like yours it too has rough/crude look but there is nothing crude about the flexible nature to the slashing ability of the blade. It has been suggested to me that it is in fact a re-worked European blade but as you can see from the pictures, I strongly believe that it is not. I am very lucky to have a club to go with these swords. I was horrified by the price I paid for it, but now I am thinking I did jolly well

.

Iain · 21st June 2010, 07:14 PM

Hi Tim, yes the solid hilt is brass. These swords have an amazing feel in the hand. I think they'd have no problem to do the job intended. One can imagine coupled with a swiftly running camel the results would be rather dramatic.

As for your sword... I have no idea what you paid for it, but I'm guessing if you ever get bored with it I can be persuaded take it off your hands for the same or more.

It's really an outstanding piece. As for a reworked European blade... I think there is a tendency to under estimate the amount forging work done natively. There is a tendency when one finds a good quality blade to automatically assign a European attribution - perhaps sometimes a bit hastily. Personally I prefer the native made stuff. More cohesive in my tastes.

Couple of questions about your sword... Any idea from the balance and weight what lies under the leather on the hilt? Metal pommel and grip? I've already encountered a couple of takouba with wood cores for the grips. I'm trying to figure out if it means anything in terms of pinning down tribal and ethnic group.

Jim McDougall · 21st June 2010, 07:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispn

As always thanks for your informative input Jim.

I should mention the first example, having checked my notes, was actually collected in Cameroon - so your observation is quite correct! While I'm no expert in European cavalry blades I'd be very surprised if this blade is not native. The fuller is roughly forged with poor symmetry in places.

On the second one, yes, blade is of typical quality. A much lighter weapon, both in actual weight and feel.

You are very welcome indeed!!!

Good observation on the cavalry type sabre blade, and it does appear atypical of the typical European production characteristics. As has been mentioned, the skills of native armourers in these regions has often and long been underestimated.

Tim Simmons · 21st June 2010, 07:42 PM

No the club was expensive the sword was exactly half the price.

The sword blade is 61cm long so really a short infantry weapon. It is written that the bulk of pre 1906 Sudanic forces were infantry. I think the handle has a wood core as opposed to fabric or metal. This lends a slight weight forward nature to the weapon. The club has a metal core.

Iain · 22nd June 2010, 08:36 AM

The club is certainly impressive. I imagine the full leather covering was partly for superstitious reasons (not touching iron or steel) and partly for preservation of the metal itself.

Did they come from the same collection? They seem very well matched. Did you ever arrive at a tribal attribution?

Tim Simmons · 22nd June 2010, 05:59 PM

I got them years apart but they are so well matched. The club is a wood stick with a metal knob then covered in leather.

21st June 2010, 09:12 AM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Takouba sabres On request some details of two curved takouba I have. Both are single edged. The first has a very thick forged blade with broad fuller, was collected from a Fulbe tribesman in the 1970s (but not by myself unfortunately, I'd love to make the trip someday). I believe it is quite a bit older however as the quality is excellent. Last edited by ispn; 21st June 2010 at 01:19 PM.

21st June 2010, 09:13 AM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Second one... The second sword is newer, of typical Tuareg form with stacked pommel and sticked leather hilt covering. Makers mark is one I'm unfamiliar with... Bad condition on the blade, but I'm slowly polishing out the worst of it. Last edited by ispn; 21st June 2010 at 01:20 PM.

21st June 2010, 06:57 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	These are rather nice. The one with the metal pommel I assume is a copper/tin/zinc alloy rather than aluminium? I think the blades look great and I might say; are they really a copy of European forms? I post pictures of mine. Like yours it too has rough/crude look but there is nothing crude about the flexible nature to the slashing ability of the blade. It has been suggested to me that it is in fact a re-worked European blade but as you can see from the pictures, I strongly believe that it is not. I am very lucky to have a club to go with these swords. I was horrified by the price I paid for it, but now I am thinking I did jolly well . Attached Images

21st June 2010, 05:22 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,748	Interesting examples which according to Dr. Lee Jones field research are termed 'alguinjar' in local parlances in Tuareg cases, however uncertain if the Fula people or others who used takoubas have corresponding terms of thier own. The term seems to specify curved bladed. This example interestingly has a pommel element which corresponds to certain Cameroon weapons, and it should be noted that the Fulbe (Anglicized term for Fulani) are the predominant ethnic group in the Adamawa regions of Cameroon. The blade on this example appears to be a 19th century cavalry sabre blade which has had the point rebated much in the standard style for takoubas of regular straight blade form. The second example seems to have a modern sheet steel type blade, with the characteristic corrosion in patches where the protective galvanization has worn away I believe. This is relatively common in modern Saharan and Sudanese edged weapons with these kinds of blades. The inscribed symbol is the cross with orbed terminals, which typically signifies the four cardinal directions, and may have any number of meanings either talismanically or traditionally. It is not perceived as a makers mark or in the significance of the other markings described on these weapons.

21st June 2010, 06:12 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	As always thanks for your informative input Jim. I should mention the first example, having checked my notes, was actually collected in Cameroon - so your observation is quite correct! While I'm no expert in European cavalry blades I'd be very surprised if this blade is not native. The fuller is roughly forged with poor symmetry in places. On the second one, yes, blade is of typical quality. A much lighter weapon, both in actual weight and feel.

21st June 2010, 07:14 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Hi Tim, yes the solid hilt is brass. These swords have an amazing feel in the hand. I think they'd have no problem to do the job intended. One can imagine coupled with a swiftly running camel the results would be rather dramatic. As for your sword... I have no idea what you paid for it, but I'm guessing if you ever get bored with it I can be persuaded take it off your hands for the same or more. It's really an outstanding piece. As for a reworked European blade... I think there is a tendency to under estimate the amount forging work done natively. There is a tendency when one finds a good quality blade to automatically assign a European attribution - perhaps sometimes a bit hastily. Personally I prefer the native made stuff. More cohesive in my tastes. Couple of questions about your sword... Any idea from the balance and weight what lies under the leather on the hilt? Metal pommel and grip? I've already encountered a couple of takouba with wood cores for the grips. I'm trying to figure out if it means anything in terms of pinning down tribal and ethnic group.

21st June 2010, 07:42 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	No the club was expensive the sword was exactly half the price. The sword blade is 61cm long so really a short infantry weapon. It is written that the bulk of pre 1906 Sudanic forces were infantry. I think the handle has a wood core as opposed to fabric or metal. This lends a slight weight forward nature to the weapon. The club has a metal core.

22nd June 2010, 08:36 AM	#9
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	The club is certainly impressive. I imagine the full leather covering was partly for superstitious reasons (not touching iron or steel) and partly for preservation of the metal itself. Did they come from the same collection? They seem very well matched. Did you ever arrive at a tribal attribution?

22nd June 2010, 05:59 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	I got them years apart but they are so well matched. The club is a wood stick with a metal knob then covered in leather.