[Tim Simmons]

Thanks for the excellent replays.

David I did not want to suggest that smelting or iron work was rare. I was just trying to suggest and I think successfully the difficulties of working this locally smelted iron of a standard one would not come across today. Also smithing techniques that may be of an artistic nature not often encountered.

I have only tested the sword by bending from end to end to stress the middle more or less were the weld is. This is not scientific I know but I can say I have done this with my heart thumping with fear. I have taken this bending to the point where if I were to bend it out of shape it would happen about 1-2 inches below the weld and after all I do not want to damage it. It almost seems as if the weld is actually harder? stronger?
I am not just saying this for affect, it flexed more than I expected better than other weapons I have not just from Africa. So I cannot see the weld as an after thought.

An overall observation of the sword and the scabbard in particular with a chape made of an old boot. Are surely indicators of an origin far from wealth and cosmopolitan tastes. I feel sure by the fact that it is not trade steel, this has to be made at the turn of the 19th century certainly no latter than 1930. I could not say when trade steel replaced local smelting but I would have thought 1930 was very late in this matter. Gas could be a possibility but would appear too urbane? I need to show more day light pictures of the whole thing again.
Thanks for all your replays.