Two african knifes for ID

tomato77 · 7th January 2024, 12:40 PM

Hello Friends,

I got two more knifes that I'd like your opinion about. I got both separately a while ago on ebay for a few bucks and I wasn't able to really figure out their origin.

The first one (with the sheath) got a crudely made blade and a wooden handle that I haven't seen on african knifes before in this style. It somehow looks 'odd' I have to admit. I found a possible reference to Banjangi-knifes from Cameroon on african-weapons: https://african-weapons.com//gallery...dokumente-1908
Uhlmann (2003) also mentions that sheaths made of parchment (instead of leather) are typical for Cameroon and this sheath is made from parchment. There are four holes for attaching the sheath to a cord.

The second one came without a sheath and is definitly of higher quality that the first one. It is actually rather heavy with a sturdy blade and metal inlays in the wooden hilt. The brass section on the blade reminds me of senegalese knifes of the Dan, but this is the only idea I got.

Best

Thomas

Ian · 7th January 2024, 03:01 PM

Hi Thomas,

You have eclectic tastes in weapons.

A quick tip. When you have pictures of the whole sword, it is best to orient them horizontally across the page rather than vertically. It is hard to get the overall picture of the item when it is necessary to scroll up and down to see it. The software will adjust the size of the image to fit the screen when oriented horizontally, so it is possible to see the whole image at once. Our brains work better that way.

Regards,

Ian

tomato77 · 8th January 2024, 04:34 PM

Hi Ian,

thanks for the hint. I'll keep that in mind for further inqueries.

Best

Thomas

Ian · 11th January 2024, 01:05 PM

Bump ... anyone able to help our new member, Thomas.

TVV · 11th January 2024, 07:13 PM

The knife without the scabbard is from West Africa, probably from Senegal. I could be wrong, but this is my best guess.

Pertinax · 11th January 2024, 08:33 PM

Привет Томас.
Нож в ножах. Данная форма мечей и ножей характерна у племен Камерунского нагорья. Африканское оружие сложно датировать. Учитывая достаточно гармоничное сочетание рукояти с клинком и ножнами, отсутствие следов позднего вмешательства, уместно предположить, что предмет в целом может быть датирован не ранее второй половиной XX в. Возможно, в отверстиях ножен были украшения.
С уважением Юрий

Hello Thomas.
Knife in knives. This form of swords and knives is characteristic of the tribes of the Cameroon Highlands. African weapons are difficult to date. Considering the rather harmonious combination of the handle with the blade and sheath, and the absence of traces of late intervention, it is appropriate to assume that the object as a whole can be dated no earlier than the second half of the 20th century. Perhaps there were decorations in the holes of the scabbard.
Regards, Yuri

Кинжал из департамента Майо-Сава Крайнесеверного региона Камеруна из моей коллекции, примерно вторая половина ХХ века.

Dagger from the Mayo-Sava is a department of Extreme-Nord Province in Cameroon from my collection, second half of the 20th century.

7th January 2024, 12:40 PM	#1
tomato77 Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Posts: 14	Two african knifes for ID Hello Friends, I got two more knifes that I'd like your opinion about. I got both separately a while ago on ebay for a few bucks and I wasn't able to really figure out their origin. The first one (with the sheath) got a crudely made blade and a wooden handle that I haven't seen on african knifes before in this style. It somehow looks 'odd' I have to admit. I found a possible reference to Banjangi-knifes from Cameroon on african-weapons: https://african-weapons.com//gallery...dokumente-1908 Uhlmann (2003) also mentions that sheaths made of parchment (instead of leather) are typical for Cameroon and this sheath is made from parchment. There are four holes for attaching the sheath to a cord. The second one came without a sheath and is definitly of higher quality that the first one. It is actually rather heavy with a sturdy blade and metal inlays in the wooden hilt. The brass section on the blade reminds me of senegalese knifes of the Dan, but this is the only idea I got. Best Thomas Attached Images

11th January 2024, 08:33 PM	#6
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 158	Привет Томас. Нож в ножах. Данная форма мечей и ножей характерна у племен Камерунского нагорья. Африканское оружие сложно датировать. Учитывая достаточно гармоничное сочетание рукояти с клинком и ножнами, отсутствие следов позднего вмешательства, уместно предположить, что предмет в целом может быть датирован не ранее второй половиной XX в. Возможно, в отверстиях ножен были украшения. С уважением Юрий Hello Thomas. Knife in knives. This form of swords and knives is characteristic of the tribes of the Cameroon Highlands. African weapons are difficult to date. Considering the rather harmonious combination of the handle with the blade and sheath, and the absence of traces of late intervention, it is appropriate to assume that the object as a whole can be dated no earlier than the second half of the 20th century. Perhaps there were decorations in the holes of the scabbard. Regards, Yuri Кинжал из департамента Майо-Сава Крайнесеверного региона Камеруна из моей коллекции, примерно вторая половина ХХ века. Dagger from the Mayo-Sava is a department of Extreme-Nord Province in Cameroon from my collection, second half of the 20th century. Attached Images

7th January 2024, 03:01 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Hi Thomas, You have eclectic tastes in weapons. A quick tip. When you have pictures of the whole sword, it is best to orient them horizontally across the page rather than vertically. It is hard to get the overall picture of the item when it is necessary to scroll up and down to see it. The software will adjust the size of the image to fit the screen when oriented horizontally, so it is possible to see the whole image at once. Our brains work better that way. Regards, Ian

8th January 2024, 04:34 PM	#3
tomato77 Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Posts: 14	Hi Ian, thanks for the hint. I'll keep that in mind for further inqueries. Best Thomas

11th January 2024, 01:05 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,197	Bump ... anyone able to help our new member, Thomas.

11th January 2024, 07:13 PM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,620	The knife without the scabbard is from West Africa, probably from Senegal. I could be wrong, but this is my best guess.