Tuareg short dagger

AHite · 15th April 2025, 12:53 AM

Another acquisition for me that I believe is Tuareg, or closely related. Very nicely crafted dagger, with a thick blade. Not sharpened but on the edges but has a sharp tip. The tip has been bent in a manner that I don't know if it was intended, or was some damage done later. I'm hesitant to start pounding on the blade to straighten it. The blade had a light coating of rust which I lightly cleaned to show the decorations on the surface.

The leatherwork is nicely done, similar to a telek that I own. The leather wrapped handle brings to mind the Tuareg culture's aversion to touching iron. Age-wise, probably later half of the 20th century. It's a nice, solid piece.

Regards,

Andrew

Rick · 15th April 2025, 04:20 AM

The wiggle at the tip looks it was done on purpose, unless it has already had previous attempts to take the accidental kink out.

Pertinax · 15th April 2025, 07:56 AM

Hi Andrew!

Interesting dagger, look at similar here:
https://swordsantiqueweapons.com/s880_full.html

Best wishes,
Yuri

Tim Simmons · 15th April 2025, 08:51 AM

These I believe are more Mende and west coast rather than Tuareg. Your telek is in an atypical scabbard. The scabbard looks to have a belt loop. Some from my collection. I only have the red coloured one now. Not old but rather clean and nice.

Changdao · 15th April 2025, 08:57 AM

These daggers seem to have been used by a wide range of peoples in Senegambia and modern Mali. It could be Wolof, Mandinka, Fulani...

15th April 2025, 12:53 AM	#1
AHite Member Join Date: Dec 2022 Posts: 60	Tuareg short dagger Another acquisition for me that I believe is Tuareg, or closely related. Very nicely crafted dagger, with a thick blade. Not sharpened but on the edges but has a sharp tip. The tip has been bent in a manner that I don't know if it was intended, or was some damage done later. I'm hesitant to start pounding on the blade to straighten it. The blade had a light coating of rust which I lightly cleaned to show the decorations on the surface. The leatherwork is nicely done, similar to a telek that I own. The leather wrapped handle brings to mind the Tuareg culture's aversion to touching iron. Age-wise, probably later half of the 20th century. It's a nice, solid piece. Regards, Andrew Attached Images

15th April 2025, 08:51 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,841	These I believe are more Mende and west coast rather than Tuareg. Your telek is in an atypical scabbard. The scabbard looks to have a belt loop. Some from my collection. I only have the red coloured one now. Not old but rather clean and nice. Attached Images

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15th April 2025, 04:20 AM	#2
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The wiggle at the tip looks it was done on purpose, unless it has already had previous attempts to take the accidental kink out.

15th April 2025, 07:56 AM	#3
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 216	Hi Andrew! Interesting dagger, look at similar here: https://swordsantiqueweapons.com/s880_full.html Best wishes, Yuri

15th April 2025, 08:57 AM	#5
Changdao Member Join Date: Jan 2023 Location: Spain Posts: 40	These daggers seem to have been used by a wide range of peoples in Senegambia and modern Mali. It could be Wolof, Mandinka, Fulani...