Interesting WW2 Philippine machete sword ?

Rick · 24th November 2014, 04:17 PM

Aha, another vote for West Indies .
I'm not alone .

Tim Simmons · 24th November 2014, 04:41 PM

Yeah, that fist is common to West Africa. Often with the thumb poking out between the forefinger and the ring finger.

Ian · 25th November 2014, 04:04 AM

Because the ancestors of a substantial fraction of the West Indies' population came from Africa, and the West Indies were a British possession, does it not seem most logical to think this machete came from the West Indies? This would explain the apparent African motifs as well as why an English machete came to have this hilt.

Furthermore, we know of several examples of fist-hilted Mole machete blades of the same shape that came from the W.I. and wore similar leather sheaths. While more complicated explanations are always possible, a W.I. origin seems the simplest and most compelling to me.

24th November 2014, 04:17 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Aha, another vote for West Indies . I'm not alone .

24th November 2014, 04:41 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Yeah, that fist is common to West Africa. Often with the thumb poking out between the forefinger and the ring finger.

25th November 2014, 04:04 AM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Because the ancestors of a substantial fraction of the West Indies' population came from Africa, and the West Indies were a British possession, does it not seem most logical to think this machete came from the West Indies? This would explain the apparent African motifs as well as why an English machete came to have this hilt. Furthermore, we know of several examples of fist-hilted Mole machete blades of the same shape that came from the W.I. and wore similar leather sheaths. While more complicated explanations are always possible, a W.I. origin seems the simplest and most compelling to me.