Congo and other African swords

[Iain]

#5 should be from the Chamba or closely located group in the Chamba basin/Cameroon border region.

These short swords can have either curved or straight blades.

I'd like to see more images of it and dimensions like overall length, blade length etc.

[Timo Nieminen]

Didn't give lengths, since the photos have a tape measure. Total length just over 20", blade about 16". Hilt is pretty small.

I'll see if I can take more photos on the weekend.

OK, I managed to find my notes on this sword, including the seller's description:

GREAT HAND SMITHED IRON SHORT SWORD - CHAMBA TRIBE
from North East Nigeria, Benue Area, Chamba Tribe.

FIELD COLLECTED in the 1980ies by an Austrian Couple, which travelled over 25 to 30 years in the Nigeria Benue-North Cameroon-Chad Border Area. They visited a lot of smaller tribes such as Chamba, Mambila, Koma Gembe, Mumuye, Mambila, Vere, Longuda, Kapsiki, Kirdi, Chadic Ethnic Groups and many others. They collected a lot of every day items, ritual implements, jewelry, weapons, pottery, sculpture and more. This GREAT IRON SWORD originally was used by Tribal Chamba Population as a weapon as well as a sign of prestige. This Great Item consists of hand smithed iron and shows a great aesthetic shape with knot shaped handle and well forged short blade.

Magic search words like "Chamba" really help!

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Timo Nieminen

Didn't give lengths, since the photos have a tape measure. Total length just over 20", blade about 16". Hilt is pretty small.

I'll see if I can take more photos on the weekend.

OK, I managed to find my notes on this sword, including the seller's description:



Magic search words like "Chamba" really help!

Shows how much I needed a coffee this morning when I read your post!

Looks like yours came from the same source as one I used to own.