I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THESE AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S AND THEY WERE PROBABLY MADE IN THIS FORM IN THE EARLY 20 TH CENTURY POSSIBLY BEFORE IN A LESS ORNATE FORM. MY EXAMPLE IS SAID TO HAVE COME FROM BAMAKO ,MALI AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MANDINGO FORM. IT IS LIKE YOUR EXAMPLE AND HAS VERY NICE LEATHERWORK WITH A SINGLE EDGED BLADE (SHARP OUTSIDE OF CURVE) WITH A BLUNT DULL TIP. IT COULD BE USED TO SLASH IN A FIGHT BUT WOULD NOT BE A VERY EFFECIENT WEAPON. I SUSPECT THEY WERE USED FOR PRESTIEGE OR IF MORE COMMON POSSIBLY A WORK KNIFE SUITABLE FOR GATHERING FODDER FOR ANIMALS ECT. THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN ITS DESIGN IS THE WAY THE TANG PASSES THRU THE HANDLE AND IS MADE INTO A RING, IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO ATTACH A FANCY TASSEL (A THING THE MANDINGO TRIBE LIKES ON THE END OF THEIR SCABBARDS) BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE WITH A TASSEL?
THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS OF ONE WHICH HAS SEEN SOME ACTUAL USE IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS COMING FROM LIBERIA AFRICA. PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN AFRICAN WEAPONS WILL PIN IT DOWN FOR US. WHATEVER IT IS OR WHEREVER ITS FROM IT IS UNUSUAL AND ATTRACTIVE.
