West African sword for I.D. & comment

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks to Timo Nieminen and Iain for their informative comments. I think they are probably on the right track. Upon a very close examination of the "sandwich" area, I can just make out three iron rivets, which are smooth with the flat surface of the plates, and cannot be seen on the images.

The only references to these swords I can find, is the book by District Commissioner T J Alldridge "The Sherbro and its Hinterland", 1901 Here are a few relevant extracts.

Hi Colin,

I thought there might be rivets but couldn't tell from the photos. So looks like a case of reusing an older blade. Very neat!

Thanks for posting the book extracts, I haven't spent any significant time studying this specific type, but I don't recall coming across many photos or period sources describing them. So very valuable to get a photo and and some descriptive detail from Alldridge!

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

THIS IS THE Adabel envelope or cuff wrap which Jim McDougall was mentioning...at http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=adabal

One reference I was chasing in a Hausa dictionary appeared to describe adabal as the hand being hot but stronger and not being broken... words to that effect... suggesting a reinforced banding or wrap.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Coming to terms with the varied family of related swords is best achieved by starting with the essay and fine detail at http://iainnorman.com/