african wrist club

manteris1 · 12th March 2013, 12:02 AM

hi everyone,

your opinion please on this african wrist club? its 3.5" high and the diameter is 2.5" and it weighs 2lbs and 10.6 ounces. it appears to be some type of pewter................thanks...................jim my

Iain · 12th March 2013, 09:18 AM

I'm afraid I can't offer any help, but I to would like to learn more about this item.

I haven't come across a "wrist club" before - how is it defined over just a heavy bracelet? I know of the Turkana wrist knives and Sudanese (Nuer) fighting bracelets. But these are metal and not of this form.

The amount of flex it has to open and close is surprising if it is made of pewter? Which I didn't think was a material with much spring to it.

Andy Stevens · 12th March 2013, 03:17 PM

I think I'm right in saying the Taureg use a heavy wrist band, I guess to add some clout to the swing of the sword arm. Cant remember where I read it, may have been in one of Tirri's books.

Iain · 12th March 2013, 03:38 PM

I'm a little familiar (but not much!) with the Tuareg ones - usually stone and I believe while they had a roll in combat (not sure about the sword swinging bit) they also had magical/charm properties.

Interesting paper on the production of the stone ones.

That doesn't shed much light on this item - but one thing I would note, from the photos I really wonder if this isn't bronze? I think I see dull bronze colored metal on some of the edges and inside the cylindrical fasteners.

Tim Simmons · 12th March 2013, 05:41 PM

It looks like a lead + copper type of bronze rather than lead + tin pewter. I know there are many forms of fighting cuffs in Africa but have no idea where this is from.

manteris1 · 13th March 2013, 08:00 PM

hello everyone,

it might be part lead or more but its awfully heavy for a bracelet. its 2lbs 10.6 ounces. i am taking it to baltimore with me this weekend to see if i can find anything more out about it.

thanks......jimmy......

12th March 2013, 12:02 AM	#1
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	african wrist club hi everyone, your opinion please on this african wrist club? its 3.5" high and the diameter is 2.5" and it weighs 2lbs and 10.6 ounces. it appears to be some type of pewter................thanks...................jim my Attached Images

12th March 2013, 09:18 AM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I'm afraid I can't offer any help, but I to would like to learn more about this item. I haven't come across a "wrist club" before - how is it defined over just a heavy bracelet? I know of the Turkana wrist knives and Sudanese (Nuer) fighting bracelets. But these are metal and not of this form. The amount of flex it has to open and close is surprising if it is made of pewter? Which I didn't think was a material with much spring to it.

12th March 2013, 03:17 PM	#3
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	I think I'm right in saying the Taureg use a heavy wrist band, I guess to add some clout to the swing of the sword arm. Cant remember where I read it, may have been in one of Tirri's books.

12th March 2013, 03:38 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I'm a little familiar (but not much!) with the Tuareg ones - usually stone and I believe while they had a roll in combat (not sure about the sword swinging bit) they also had magical/charm properties. Interesting paper on the production of the stone ones. That doesn't shed much light on this item - but one thing I would note, from the photos I really wonder if this isn't bronze? I think I see dull bronze colored metal on some of the edges and inside the cylindrical fasteners.

12th March 2013, 05:41 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	It looks like a lead + copper type of bronze rather than lead + tin pewter. I know there are many forms of fighting cuffs in Africa but have no idea where this is from.

13th March 2013, 08:00 PM	#6
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	hello everyone, it might be part lead or more but its awfully heavy for a bracelet. its 2lbs 10.6 ounces. i am taking it to baltimore with me this weekend to see if i can find anything more out about it. thanks......jimmy......