Another Mandara short sword

Iain · 21st January 2012, 01:03 PM

Hi All,

Another little Mandara piece entered my collection this weekend. This poor guy has had a hard life. Waves in the short iron blade, nicks on the edge, its still being cleaned up, but I'll probably leave it with the dark patina, just do what I can with the active rust.

However it is interesting I think because it retains the leather grip and the leather over cloth scabbard. The blade decoration is also something I have not found before.

Despite the waves and slight twists (poor storage? rough life of use?) the blade is pretty flexible and springs back nicely.

The pommel is the little mushroom style that we've seen a few of now, the grip leather is just a simple wrap with a indented dot pattern.

The scabbard is not in great shape, but the leather is ooooold. Bits of rough cloth can be seen inside, haven't found any wood.

Overall length is 60cm.

My apologies for some of the reflections in the photos, the uneven surface of the blade made it a little tricky. And you'll have to forgive me for including yet another group photo of my small Mandara collection, I just really enjoy group shots.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st January 2012, 01:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi All,

Another little Mandara piece entered my collection this weekend. This poor guy has had a hard life. Waves in the short iron blade, nicks on the edge, its still being cleaned up, but I'll probably leave it with the dark patina, just do what I can with the active rust.

However it is interesting I think because it retains the leather grip and the leather over cloth scabbard. The blade decoration is also something I have not found before.

Despite the waves and slight twists (poor storage? rough life of use?) the blade is pretty flexible and springs back nicely.

The pommel is the little mushroom style that we've seen a few of now, the grip leather is just a simple wrap with a indented dot pattern.

The scabbard is not in great shape, but the leather is ooooold. Bits of rough cloth can be seen inside, haven't found any wood.

Overall length is 60cm.

My apologies for some of the reflections in the photos, the uneven surface of the blade made it a little tricky. And you'll have to forgive me for including yet another group photo of my small Mandara collection, I just really enjoy group shots.

Salaams Iain, Marvelous old blade! Can you walk us through your derust proceedure. I have an ancient axe that I am derusting and have tried vinegar and coke ... not making much progress... What will you use on the old blade please? Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Iain · 21st January 2012, 02:12 PM

Hi Ibrahiim, sometimes I use vinegar, on this particular piece I only want to remove the active red rust. So many hours of oiling and scrubbing with fine steel wool. Nothing special really. For me it's important to only remove what is absolutely necessary.

A.alnakkas · 21st January 2012, 04:56 PM

Nice one Iain!

It seems that the tip has been shortened or reshaped? a rather attractive blade really, cant wait to see it once its all cleaned up!

Iain · 21st January 2012, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Nice one Iain!

It seems that the tip has been shortened or reshaped? a rather attractive blade really, cant wait to see it once its all cleaned up!

Hi mate, actually tip should be original, many swords in this region have rounded tips, just that many of the ones I have are the pointed tips so this new one stands out. This is one reason I love Mandara region weapons, so many varieties in the forms.

A.alnakkas · 21st January 2012, 05:11 PM

Hmm, reason why I thought so is that the decoration on the blade goes all the way to the tip and seems to have continued. Could be wrong though :P

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 22nd January 2012, 07:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Ibrahiim, sometimes I use vinegar, on this particular piece I only want to remove the active red rust. So many hours of oiling and scrubbing with fine steel wool. Nothing special really. For me it's important to only remove what is absolutely necessary.

Salaams Iain~ I agree on the careful use of vinegar on this piece or possibly lemon salt. It will look great when its finished so please post a final picture. What age do you place on the sword?. It has to be an all time classic.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Iain · 22nd January 2012, 03:13 PM

Hi Ibrahiim,

On this example I do not plan to use any acid based cleaning. I like the dark patina and the potential for lose of material is not worth it. Only necessary to stabilize the current condition.

The age, I would hope 19th century, but this region kept producing traditional weapons for quite some time in the 20th century. Even today the region is still not very modernized.

All the best,
Iain

21st January 2012, 01:03 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Another Mandara short sword Hi All, Another little Mandara piece entered my collection this weekend. This poor guy has had a hard life. Waves in the short iron blade, nicks on the edge, its still being cleaned up, but I'll probably leave it with the dark patina, just do what I can with the active rust. However it is interesting I think because it retains the leather grip and the leather over cloth scabbard. The blade decoration is also something I have not found before. Despite the waves and slight twists (poor storage? rough life of use?) the blade is pretty flexible and springs back nicely. The pommel is the little mushroom style that we've seen a few of now, the grip leather is just a simple wrap with a indented dot pattern. The scabbard is not in great shape, but the leather is ooooold. Bits of rough cloth can be seen inside, haven't found any wood. Overall length is 60cm. My apologies for some of the reflections in the photos, the uneven surface of the blade made it a little tricky. And you'll have to forgive me for including yet another group photo of my small Mandara collection, I just really enjoy group shots. Attached Images

21st January 2012, 02:12 PM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Hi Ibrahiim, sometimes I use vinegar, on this particular piece I only want to remove the active red rust. So many hours of oiling and scrubbing with fine steel wool. Nothing special really. For me it's important to only remove what is absolutely necessary.

21st January 2012, 04:56 PM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Nice one Iain! It seems that the tip has been shortened or reshaped? a rather attractive blade really, cant wait to see it once its all cleaned up!

21st January 2012, 05:11 PM	#6
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Hmm, reason why I thought so is that the decoration on the blade goes all the way to the tip and seems to have continued. Could be wrong though :P

22nd January 2012, 03:13 PM	#8
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Hi Ibrahiim, On this example I do not plan to use any acid based cleaning. I like the dark patina and the potential for lose of material is not worth it. Only necessary to stabilize the current condition. The age, I would hope 19th century, but this region kept producing traditional weapons for quite some time in the 20th century. Even today the region is still not very modernized. All the best, Iain