Takouba Sword with 17C. European Blade.

The Takouba is the iconic  sword of the Sahel. Although commonly it is attributed to the Tuareg people, in fact it is used by many tribes and people of the Sahel: Hausa, Fulani and Kanuri to mention few. The Takouba tradition  goes back to early medieval times and continue the early  use of straight blade swords in the  Islamic cultures.  Tradition and geographical isolation kept the straight blade sword as the major cavalry battle sword in the Sahel, whereas it was slowly replaced by the curved saber in other Islamic territories.

Foreign  made blades where always preferred by the Takouba makers. European blades,  mostly German where widely traded in the 19 C. But earlier important blade are also found mounted on Takouba swords.

The early Takouba sword offered here employs a very early 17 C. marked German blade, of flat hexagonal cross section. reinforced in position by two long langets, also marked with the “eyelash” mark on one face (Probably a local addition as a mark of  quality). Leather covered grip, double cones steel pommel and pierced brass cross guard engraved in geometrical design. Classical tooled leather scabbard with large pierced and engraved locket and chape en-suit with the cross guard. The back side of the locket is inscribed in Arabic letters: بيد عبد القادر بن حمد بن  (Bin Abed Elkader Han Hamed Bin Ali ) , Most probably the owner name.

Blade 30 1/2 inches. Total length 34 inches. Very good condition. Early to mid 19 C. with a 17 C. blade. . Iconic sword, early and scarce