Three North African daggers for ID

Andy Stevens · 16th November 2007, 08:06 AM

I've had these three beasts sitting in the box of unsorted bits, that lives under the stairs. I've never fully ID them other than a loose Taureg'ish tag. The commando style knife was said to have been picked up during WW11. The longer blade is 20cm in length. Any info will be met with tea and cake

Lew · 16th November 2007, 04:19 PM

Center dagger is Tuareg,dagger on right is a Somali billao dagger. The one on the left I can't really call but it seems to be from Mali all are second half of the 20th century pieces.

Lew

katana · 16th November 2007, 08:16 PM

Hi Lew,
is there the possibillity that the 'centre' dagger is Manding, Spring shows a similar dagger (p.47 'African arms and armour')

Regards David

PS Andy.....two sugars, hot and strong .....prefer a currant bun, instead of cake, if thats OK

Lew · 16th November 2007, 11:31 PM

[QUOTE=katana]Hi Lew,
is there the possibillity that the 'centre' dagger is Manding, Spring shows a similar dagger (p.47 'African arms and armour')

Regards David

I highly doubt that it is Manding the scabbard construction is identical to that found on takouba sword scabbards.

Lew

xerg · 22nd November 2007, 09:41 PM

I can second the Tuareg diagnosis for the middle piece. You see small daggers with scabbards like that all over West Africa. In fact, they're one of the more common replica pieces. The green that they're painted with is supposed to emulate the green that bronze would oxidize to over time (as happens on real examples).

I'm not saying that yours is necessarily a replica, since I haven't seen a blade quite like that before. I lost the image (unfortunately due to the slow internet here) when I clicked reply, but I recall the hilt looking to be comprised of layered dark wood (they'd tell you ebony) and metal. I have a Tuareg hairknife whose hilt is done in the same style. Other than that, I haven't seen a decorative pommel like that or a blade with quite that shape. It's an interesting piece!

16th November 2007, 08:06 AM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Three North African daggers for ID I've had these three beasts sitting in the box of unsorted bits, that lives under the stairs. I've never fully ID them other than a loose Taureg'ish tag. The commando style knife was said to have been picked up during WW11. The longer blade is 20cm in length. Any info will be met with tea and cake Attached Images

16th November 2007, 11:31 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	[QUOTE=katana]Hi Lew, is there the possibillity that the 'centre' dagger is Manding, Spring shows a similar dagger (p.47 'African arms and armour') Regards David I highly doubt that it is Manding the scabbard construction is identical to that found on takouba sword scabbards. Lew Attached Images

16th November 2007, 04:19 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Center dagger is Tuareg,dagger on right is a Somali billao dagger. The one on the left I can't really call but it seems to be from Mali all are second half of the 20th century pieces. Lew

16th November 2007, 08:16 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Lew, is there the possibillity that the 'centre' dagger is Manding, Spring shows a similar dagger (p.47 'African arms and armour') Regards David PS Andy.....two sugars, hot and strong .....prefer a currant bun, instead of cake, if thats OK

22nd November 2007, 09:41 PM	#5
xerg Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 7	I can second the Tuareg diagnosis for the middle piece. You see small daggers with scabbards like that all over West Africa. In fact, they're one of the more common replica pieces. The green that they're painted with is supposed to emulate the green that bronze would oxidize to over time (as happens on real examples). I'm not saying that yours is necessarily a replica, since I haven't seen a blade quite like that before. I lost the image (unfortunately due to the slow internet here) when I clicked reply, but I recall the hilt looking to be comprised of layered dark wood (they'd tell you ebony) and metal. I have a Tuareg hairknife whose hilt is done in the same style. Other than that, I haven't seen a decorative pommel like that or a blade with quite that shape. It's an interesting piece!