African, that's all I know

Freddy · 22nd September 2005, 07:24 PM

I found this African sword last week. I tried to find it's origin, but I can use some help.

This sword has a sheath made from animal hide. The shape is a bit peculiar. The stitching on the front reminds me of sheaths from Cameroon.
The wooden handle has two stylized heads. The blade itself is simple and not very sharp. The point is peculiar.

I just can't find a picture of a sword with a similar shape.

Total length (in sheath) : 62,5 cm
Length of sword : 51,5 cm
Length of handle : 14,5 cm
Lenght of blade : 37 cm

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2005, 07:46 PM

Hi Freddy, well it is certainly African and it looks Cameroon . It looks fairly recent and made to work, somehow I always think of todays Africans armed with AK47s and old ww2 guns, bayonets , or industrial machete. Tim

Freddy · 22nd September 2005, 08:05 PM

You might be right, Tim.

Perhaps swords like this one are only used to 'dress up', if you know what I mean. Used by old men, going out on Sunday. Just like my grandfather : he always wore a hat on Sundays.

Freddy

Tim Simmons · 22nd September 2005, 08:08 PM

Yes good thing though.

Tim

zalmoxis · 23rd September 2005, 02:00 AM

I think it is an old Bali tribe blade modified with a newer handle.The handle looks like a Bali one. I think Tim is right about being from Cameroon.

RobT · 23rd September 2005, 03:30 AM

Hi Freddy,
I know this is going to sound crazy but could that strange point be what was once the tang of a Congolese crescent tipped sword as shown in Stone's figure 459 photo number 21 (page 365). Just imagine that blade without the tips inserted into your hilt.
Sincerely,
RobT

22nd September 2005, 07:24 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	African, that's all I know I found this African sword last week. I tried to find it's origin, but I can use some help. This sword has a sheath made from animal hide. The shape is a bit peculiar. The stitching on the front reminds me of sheaths from Cameroon. The wooden handle has two stylized heads. The blade itself is simple and not very sharp. The point is peculiar. I just can't find a picture of a sword with a similar shape. Total length (in sheath) : 62,5 cm Length of sword : 51,5 cm Length of handle : 14,5 cm Lenght of blade : 37 cm

23rd September 2005, 03:30 AM	#6
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 474	Mounted Backwards? Hi Freddy, I know this is going to sound crazy but could that strange point be what was once the tang of a Congolese crescent tipped sword as shown in Stone's figure 459 photo number 21 (page 365). Just imagine that blade without the tips inserted into your hilt. Sincerely, RobT

22nd September 2005, 07:46 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,772	Hi Freddy, well it is certainly African and it looks Cameroon . It looks fairly recent and made to work, somehow I always think of todays Africans armed with AK47s and old ww2 guns, bayonets , or industrial machete. Tim

22nd September 2005, 08:05 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You might be right, Tim. Perhaps swords like this one are only used to 'dress up', if you know what I mean. Used by old men, going out on Sunday. Just like my grandfather : he always wore a hat on Sundays. Freddy

22nd September 2005, 08:08 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,772	Yes good thing though. Tim

23rd September 2005, 02:00 AM	#5
zalmoxis Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: GA USA Posts: 76	I think it is an old Bali tribe blade modified with a newer handle.The handle looks like a Bali one. I think Tim is right about being from Cameroon.