Interesting Shona Short Sword

CharlesS · 13th September 2017, 08:22 PM

Jim, thanks for your input. While at first glance this does have the look of a bayonet blade, it is definitely a diamond sectioned native made blade and well within the abilities of the tribes of that region. Note the very inconsistent(non-industrial) line of the central ridge. The two tone "black and white" blade is also a common characteristic of Shona blades, especially on daggers. I'm thinking you may be seeing the blackened portion of the blade as an optical illusion fuller.

Jim McDougall · 14th September 2017, 12:10 AM

Thanks Charles, at second glance, that ridge is pretty wavy!
Wonder if they used the bayonet blade as a prototype? I do recall that Massai blades from Kenya have pronounced central rib, but again, hard to say exactly how these influences transmitted.

13th September 2017, 08:22 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,854	Jim, thanks for your input. While at first glance this does have the look of a bayonet blade, it is definitely a diamond sectioned native made blade and well within the abilities of the tribes of that region. Note the very inconsistent(non-industrial) line of the central ridge. The two tone "black and white" blade is also a common characteristic of Shona blades, especially on daggers. I'm thinking you may be seeing the blackened portion of the blade as an optical illusion fuller.

14th September 2017, 12:10 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	Thanks Charles, at second glance, that ridge is pretty wavy! Wonder if they used the bayonet blade as a prototype? I do recall that Massai blades from Kenya have pronounced central rib, but again, hard to say exactly how these influences transmitted.