Thanks for the comments guys.
Vandoo and Jim; I was also thinking this general area. There is a long history of interaction between the Yoruba and Hausa. The Yoruba are noted for iron working as well as casting. So it would make sense to me that this could be a native Yoruba blade, crudely imitating a more typical takouba. Obviously when paired with the hilt though it was not considered of inferior craftsmanship. The blade is surprisingly "ok" as I noted before there is some flex and it is sharp. I'm sure it is original to the hilt as from what I can see the method of mounting appears to have been the mold made up for the hilt filled with the base metal (I assume brass) of the cast and then the blade actually inserted while the metal was still liquid, the blade is absolutely firm in the hilt.
Battara; thanks for giving me hope on the gold plate. I did another vinegar test and thought I might have seen some reddish stain developing but I'm not sure. Also did the taste test and it does seem a bit coppery. Regardless I will take it to a jeweler when I can find one here in Prague who can test it. Was gold ever mixed with brass for casting? Initial online research seems to indicate that brass was pretty flexible as an alloy.
Many thanks again guys for the comments and thoughts. I'm liking this piece more and more.
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