Brass bayonet style dagger, West African

Tim Simmons · 30th September 2006, 02:39 PM

Total length 325mm, blade 215mm. Ivory handle, finished with aluminium. I am sure it is not zinc. I do not normally go for things without a scabbard except some African items as with this piece. It would not fit on a gun the hole is far too small, only the tip of my little finger fits in. From a car boot sale this morning for peanuts

. Weird

Tim Simmons · 30th September 2006, 07:03 PM

Looking at the white metal again I think it is mabe some sort of lead/tin mix even zinc but not aluminium.

Tim Simmons · 30th September 2006, 08:11 PM

Just finished a soapy clean of the handle. It is not bone or elephant ivory it must be hippo or wild boar tusk.

Tim Simmons · 30th September 2006, 09:16 PM

Perhaps it is aluminium but certainly not the high grade stuff we are familiar with today. at one time it was a precious metal. I cannot tell.

Tim Simmons · 1st October 2006, 05:48 PM

Compere the two styles of these handles. The triangular facet decoration. There was at one time a brass wire in the groove of the dark wood handle. A small piece remains. Could be from the same area, workshop even.

Robert · 1st October 2006, 09:40 PM

The one with the tusk grip looks quite a bit like a spanish misericord dagger with a bayonet guard. Very interesting piece.

30th September 2006, 02:39 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Brass bayonet style dagger, West African Total length 325mm, blade 215mm. Ivory handle, finished with aluminium. I am sure it is not zinc. I do not normally go for things without a scabbard except some African items as with this piece. It would not fit on a gun the hole is far too small, only the tip of my little finger fits in. From a car boot sale this morning for peanuts . Weird Attached Images

1st October 2006, 05:48 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Just one more thing. Compere the two styles of these handles. The triangular facet decoration. There was at one time a brass wire in the groove of the dark wood handle. A small piece remains. Could be from the same area, workshop even. Attached Images

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30th September 2006, 07:03 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Looking at the white metal again I think it is mabe some sort of lead/tin mix even zinc but not aluminium.

30th September 2006, 08:11 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Just finished a soapy clean of the handle. It is not bone or elephant ivory it must be hippo or wild boar tusk.

30th September 2006, 09:16 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Perhaps it is aluminium but certainly not the high grade stuff we are familiar with today. at one time it was a precious metal. I cannot tell.

1st October 2006, 09:40 PM	#6
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	The one with the tusk grip looks quite a bit like a spanish misericord dagger with a bayonet guard. Very interesting piece.