Sword identification

The Badge · 6th April 2017, 04:46 PM

I have recently been given this sword that used to hang on my mums wall. From looking at this site i think it is an African sword. I have no knowledge in this subject. It would be great if anyone could give any infomation on the sword ie type age and where it orriginated from to finally to be brought by my mum in a second hand shop in Lincoln. The sword blade length is 77cm, Length of handle 16cm and the blade at the widest part 4.2 cm. I believe the scabbard is leather and the handle is wood with metal.

TVV · 6th April 2017, 05:21 PM

Looks to me like a Mende sword - search for "mende" in these forums to see similar examples. The blade is most likely a 19th century Solingen trade blade. Nice sword!

Teodor

Jim McDougall · 6th April 2017, 05:44 PM

Badge, welcome to our forums! and thank you for posting this. As Teodor has specified, this sword is of a form that has been classified as from Sierre Leone and surrounding areas in West Africa. The blade appears to be of the trade blade category which came into West Africa in great volume, mostly from Solingen, from around 1840s onward (Burton, 1884). It sees many of these came into centers like Kano and were dispersed via Saharan trade routes.
The leather work in the scabbard appears to be of the style attributed to the Manding people of Mali, and well dispersed through these regions as well. The Manding were primary factors of trade in those regions through the 19th century .

The Badge · 9th April 2017, 09:33 AM

Thank you for the information, Very interesting and I appreciate your expertise in this subject

6th April 2017, 04:46 PM	#1
The Badge Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 2	Sword identification I have recently been given this sword that used to hang on my mums wall. From looking at this site i think it is an African sword. I have no knowledge in this subject. It would be great if anyone could give any infomation on the sword ie type age and where it orriginated from to finally to be brought by my mum in a second hand shop in Lincoln. The sword blade length is 77cm, Length of handle 16cm and the blade at the widest part 4.2 cm. I believe the scabbard is leather and the handle is wood with metal. Attached Images

9th April 2017, 09:33 AM	#4
The Badge Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Posts: 2	Sword Thank you for the information, Very interesting and I appreciate your expertise in this subject

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6th April 2017, 05:21 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Looks to me like a Mende sword - search for "mende" in these forums to see similar examples. The blade is most likely a 19th century Solingen trade blade. Nice sword! Teodor

6th April 2017, 05:44 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	Badge, welcome to our forums! and thank you for posting this. As Teodor has specified, this sword is of a form that has been classified as from Sierre Leone and surrounding areas in West Africa. The blade appears to be of the trade blade category which came into West Africa in great volume, mostly from Solingen, from around 1840s onward (Burton, 1884). It sees many of these came into centers like Kano and were dispersed via Saharan trade routes. The leather work in the scabbard appears to be of the style attributed to the Manding people of Mali, and well dispersed through these regions as well. The Manding were primary factors of trade in those regions through the 19th century .