African Sword?

drac2k · 18th January 2025, 08:59 PM

I am guessing that this could be African ; I would appreciate some help on this one.It measures 23" long.

Marc M. · 19th January 2025, 12:02 PM

Not sure, but suspect Baule, West Africa.

drac2k · 19th January 2025, 05:47 PM

Thanks, I'll start searching there.

Sajen · 19th January 2025, 06:07 PM

Mandingo would be my uneducated guess.

Pertinax · 19th January 2025, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Mandingo would be my uneducated guess.

Looks like a Mandingo, but the carving on the handle confuses me.

Possibly West Africa, Dahomey

drac2k · 19th January 2025, 07:00 PM

Once again thanks to all for the suggestions; two more areas to search. Even though I don't think so, there is the possibility that it is a fantasy piece.

francantolin · 19th January 2025, 08:01 PM

Akrafena sword for me,
Ghana or Dahomey

Pertinax · 19th January 2025, 09:06 PM

Here is a similar one from the web without attribution

werecow · 19th January 2025, 10:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Here is a similar one from the web without attribution

That grip reminds me a bit of the one on my Dahomey gubasa:

And also note the similar decorative elements on the Hwi from that same thread:

Araña_del_Sol · 19th January 2025, 10:43 PM

This appears to be one of the many variations of the hwi of the Fon people (Dahomey Kingdom). Below is a Fon sword from my collection with similar motifs and design elements for comparison.

- ADS

drac2k · 20th January 2025, 05:06 AM

Once again thanks to all for the informed collective comments! Based on the geometric designs on the blade and the handle I think that it is indeed a Dahomey sword.

18th January 2025, 08:59 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	African Sword? I am guessing that this could be African ; I would appreciate some help on this one.It measures 23" long. Attached Images

19th January 2025, 07:00 PM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Once again thanks to all for the suggestions; two more areas to search. Even though I don't think so, there is the possibility that it is a fantasy piece. Last edited by drac2k; 19th January 2025 at 07:03 PM. Reason: grammar

19th January 2025, 09:06 PM	#8
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 294	Here is a similar one from the web without attribution Attached Images

19th January 2025, 10:43 PM	#10
Araña_del_Sol Member Join Date: Oct 2018 Posts: 60	This appears to be one of the many variations of the hwi of the Fon people (Dahomey Kingdom). Below is a Fon sword from my collection with similar motifs and design elements for comparison. - ADS Attached Images

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19th January 2025, 12:02 PM	#2
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 295	Not sure, but suspect Baule, West Africa.

19th January 2025, 05:47 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Thanks, I'll start searching there.

19th January 2025, 06:07 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Mandingo would be my uneducated guess.

19th January 2025, 08:01 PM	#7
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 924	Akrafena sword for me, Ghana or Dahomey

20th January 2025, 05:06 AM	#11
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,294	Once again thanks to all for the informed collective comments! Based on the geometric designs on the blade and the handle I think that it is indeed a Dahomey sword.