Four African Daggers for Comment and Check On Origins

[CharlesS]

Here are 4 rather elegant African daggers, all from West Africa. I am rather sure of the origins of at least one or two of them, but less so on the other two.

I am hoping for some more definitive input from our Africa specialists....

1. Manding(rather positive on this one): 21in. overall, with a blade of 15in. The blade is European made, but I believe the fullers were added by a Manding smith.

2. Kirdi(???): 17in. overall, with an elegant blade of 11in. The hilt is three pieces of wood with an elaborate pommel spike. The dagger seems to be dressed in the Manding style, but itself is not Manding.

3. Hausa(???) 14in. overall, with a blade of 7.5in. Tooled leather scabbard, grip, and bulbous pommel.

4. Mauretania(?): This is the smallest example of this type I have ever seen but still is quite elegant and well made. The dagger is 12.5in overall, with a blade of 6.75in., 3.25in sharpened.NOTE: I have not seen this style of dagger published in any book or publication on African edged weapons, yet I have seen enough of them to know that some can be rather old(late 19th-early 20th century) and others mid-20th century or later. Sometimes they are attributed to the Taureg, but I don't believe that is correct, as they have little in common with more well known Taureg daggers like the telek.