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Post by mostro32 on Aug 15, 2013 13:11:30 GMT
Hi Everybody! My Auntie in Rome is 96 years old. As I visited this year she said to me to look through her old "treasures" and see if there was anything that I wanted to bring back home as I think she has finally realized that her years left are unfortunately not as many as she would like. Either way I pulled her house apart and found many little treasures but underneath one big box behind everything (must have been there for a very long time as there were piles of boxes everywhere) I came across a sword. I instantly took it to her and said I'd have it and she said she didn't care what I took and that sword was her father's before but she doesn't know where or when he had it. They went through wars and fires in their many homes but this sword survived in a great state! Now comes the part that I need help with! What do you guys think about this sword? it looks to have been hand made and hand sharpened by stone. It also looks like to be some sort of medieval one hand sword(generalizing a lot) I personally think it could be a really well preserved medieval weapon but I will need your opinion guys! Thank you all in advance! Attachments:
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Aug 15, 2013 13:22:54 GMT
Sudanese kaskara, most likely from the mid 1800 to early 1900. It's nice thing that you have the scabbard for it.
Those marks that look like half moons, can identify the maker for you. I don't know much about African weapons and the one I used to have had differents marks on it.
I think folks at Vikingsword might be able to identify the origin further and more accurately for you. Or someone in here might know bunch of stuff about these.
This is just information on quick glance, I can try to look it with more thought later on.
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Aug 15, 2013 14:08:19 GMT
I agree with the above, but I think the blade might be older european blade.
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Post by LemuelTheLemur on Aug 15, 2013 14:22:45 GMT
That is an awesome find! How would you feel about taking it to a sword smith and having it restored to its former glory?
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Post by william m on Aug 15, 2013 14:32:21 GMT
It's a German blade.
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Aug 15, 2013 14:39:46 GMT
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Luka
Senior Forumite
Posts: 2,848
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Post by Luka on Aug 15, 2013 14:41:51 GMT
Yes, it could be both, sometimes only better quality steel is the proof the blade is German, not a Sudanese copy.
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Post by mostro32 on Aug 16, 2013 16:20:50 GMT
Thank you all for your comments! I wasn't expecting so many!!! I did some research and am pleased to know "my sword" may have had some history behind it! I looked around and found some on ebay and so on. I can't believe how cheap they are for how old they are! I see some arabian swords go for 4K+ from the 1800's and yet thees only go for around $350!! I wonder why! Either way I don't want to sell it. I have cleaned the blade and removed all the pieces(handle, guard and blade) as the handle was loose anyway and am thinking of fixing it up a tad so it's not so loose. I do however like the old look and don't really want to make a new scabbard or handle for it as it would take away from the piece I think. Last question all! Any idea of how to restore the hard leather of the strap to it's former glory?(or at least make it a little softer as it's hard and cracks when mooved) Here are some more images! Thank you all again! Attachments:
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Post by chrisperoni on Aug 16, 2013 20:41:00 GMT
Hello! Very cool find indeed. I think though (and I'm kinda surprised no one said anything yet) we need to keep in mind rule #1 when dealing with any antique -- don't do anything until you know what to do! Often just cleaning an antique can reduce it's value so be careful. In this case I personally don't think there's too much danger of this, and I know you would never sell it anyway, but it's still a good idea to play it safe until you know what you've got for sure. Rule #2 is don't trust ebay for price comparisons lol :lol: It would be great if you can find an antique dealer, or maybe a service online, or a forum with collectors with specific knowledge of the period we've guessed it's from; and get some firm answers. I know we can offer good tips on how to rehilt it, and fix up the leather and blade etc - but we might not know how to keep it in proper respects as an antique. (On the other hand I would love to have a shot at making a new grip and belt for it  - I totally understand the temptation to work on it ) |
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Post by Timo Nieminen on Aug 16, 2013 21:30:04 GMT
Standard feature on Syrian and Mamluk double-edged straight swords (the major influence on the kaskara). Also on the later curved shamshir, and on some East European sabres. Also seen on very early Central Asian sabres - don't know whether these are early or later than the Syrian straight swords. I don't think it adds strength to the sword, but it does help keep the guard in place. The guard is only attached to the grip, and not the blade. You often see grip wood between guard and blade; see www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=14806 , especially post #20, but others too, for some nice closeups. The langets keep the sword sitting firmly in the scabbard without needing the scabbard to be tight on the blade (so it's like a "reverse" habaki). See www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1430 for this in action. Same as on tulwars. So both the langets and the extension onto the grip are functional, but they don't strengthen the sword. |
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Post by Jussi Ekholm on Aug 17, 2013 7:18:25 GMT
I personally think that African weapons do not enjoy as widespread popularity as European or Japanese weapons. You often can find African antique weapons for sale at great prices (for buyer). Of course the very high quality stuff costs a lot, but the more basic stuff is usually affordable compared to some other cultures.
You might try to ask some valuation hint from a sword dealer/collector who specializes in African weaponry. It's very important that you ask the guidance from those that collect those particular swords. As we who collect other sword types might not be qualified to give instructions on these particular swords. I know what I paid for mine and what I sold it for, and I've eyed in what ranges these seem to go, but I can't give any info on this as I don't know enough.
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- I totally understand the temptation to work on it )
