European blade in an African context

[M ELEY]

Great point, Ausjulius! When i first commented on this piece, I had assumed a more utilitarian use for the blade, but you bring up the point that it could have been a specialized tool (medical dissection, hunting-trouse type, etc). I'm even reminded of bolo-type machetes and specified 'gardening tools', like Japanese nata. Perhaps this was an agricultural tool??? Fascine knife??

[Richard G]

It could be a worn depiction of Pegasus, which was the trademark of Henry Rogers and Sons Ltd, Wolverhampton and Sheffield.
Apparently it was also a mark used by Unwin and Rodgers who made the infamous knife\pistol combination.
Regards
Richard

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Richard G

It could be a worn depiction of Pegasus, which was the trademark of Henry Rogers and Sons Ltd, Wolverhampton and Sheffield.
Apparently it was also a mark used by Unwin and Rodgers who made the infamous knife\pistol combination.
Regards
Richard

This might well be right, as there seems to be the remains of "wings" on the back of the horse ? on my blade. The suggestion of a dissection instrument also seems correct, a large autopsy or "organ" instrument possibly. This would go with the funereal black hilt and the raised decoration to the gutta-percha providing a firm grip...