Unusual African short sword / knife
 

Hi guys, can anyone tell me anything about this knife? I’ve come across lots of African knives at antique fairs and shops but not seen one with this shape before. Makes me think of a bayonet

Hello,

the scabbard is similar to scabbards of Takoubas, so I would say it is a Tuareg dagger.

Regards
Robin

Agreed! :)

It can be from a number of groups who shared by the 20th century a similar leather working style, including the Hausa, Fulani, Tuareg, and even further into west Africa. I'd put it tentatively as Hausa/Fulani though.

It looks like a reused blade for sure.

Also the three fuller are often on touareg takuba, if is a reused Sword as mentioned, it can explain why they are not centered. Is it one edged or both sides are sharpened ?
For the handle, Ive rarely seen zoomorphic handles on touareg art, more like geometric forms.

Looks as if it is trying to copy a bayonet.
Regards
Richard

There’s a few inches sharpened along the back edge near the tip

I wonder if the blade has come from a locally made machete as I have seen blades of similar length and form with the three crude fullers sold new with scales made from salvaged tire rubber riveted on in West Africa.

I have an example - not immediately at hand - of such a blade with an extender forte section mounted properly as a takouba.

I happen to have one here of the ilk... is this what you mean Lee?

Yes, except yours is nicer than those I was thinking of. It is easy to see how the original poster's blade could, with some reshaping, have come from such a machete. I believe the original poster's item is a genuine ethnographic artifact, made for local use rather than merely trade with the traveler. I will endeavor to present a few photos within a few days.

Not exactly as I remembered and I am still looking for the takouba using such a blade for the far end.

The three fullers are typical of trade blades and machetes of varied types, some with a curve, some almost straight.... as used here in my recent purchase Mandingo sword.