Hi Iain,
As indicated earlier, this is a very fine sword.
The visual quality of the blade, along with the forging laminations seen near the tip show that someone spent a lot of time getting this one made and finished very well. The presence of the unusual fullering arrangements, along with the clear and strong beveled cutting edges are a good indication the smith had very good knowledge on making fighting swords and I hope others surface in time because there seems to be a trend in the fullering style.
I too am smitten with this primeval form, especially the swords with these quality blades from the region, however luckily for me, my actual collecting interests lay elsewhere.
About the patterns of wear/rusting/pitting etc...I think the fact that a lot of these African knives swords are already tight in the sheaths and that the blade sits so close to the very thin timbers and leathers that this is how and why the condition ends as it is because there is nowhere for moisture to run to other than be kept between the two flat surfaces.
I also think that the presence of these fullers on your sword and others from the region, allow for breathing between the two surfaces and that moisture can disperse easier...certainly a want in the wet seasons..of course to strengthen the blade too.
Gavin
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