Names of African Swords

Jim McDougall · 28th September 2024, 08:53 PM

Extremely well put Changdao!!
This is probably one of the best and most comprehensive explanations of the dynamics of West African sword forms and those tribal peoples who used them that I have read. I like your perspective on 'survivor bias' with regard to the volumes of European blades coming into these trade networks in the 19th century resulting in the predominance of them in these swords acquired in that time.
While it seems to me that the accounts of travelers noting the notably high volumes of European blades coming in by the 1830s seem suspiciously exaggerated, there were certainly large numbers circulating by the periods these tribal weapons were collected by westerners.

With these blades in circulation for generations and remounted time and time again, it seems that the European blades were eagerly collected for posterity in the latter 19th century. We know, as Oakeshott noted, that many kaskaras with European blades were cannibalized for the cottage industry of creating medieval broadswords for gentlemens 'smoking rooms' displays.

Tim Simmons · 29th September 2024, 08:47 PM

Got this piece at real knock down price as the blade is stuck in the scabbard. I am hoping for easy retrieval and a fair condition blade that is not too rusty, fingers cross. Will follow up. I was meant to be no longer collecting.

Pertinax · 29th September 2024, 10:03 PM

This is my copy, not old, the blade is clearly locally made. I have long wanted to buy something more "ancient", but so far it has not been possible.

Tim Simmons · 29th September 2024, 10:34 PM

This is one I had with a native blade quite flexible and razor . There. is a much better photo of it with the scabbard some where on this site but I cannot find it for now. Wish I had kept it now. Sold the bulk of the collection some time ago. Why did I do that??? I do not know. The money went so quickly.

Tim Simmons · 5th October 2024, 04:59 PM

I am glad I did not pay much for this sword. Once stuck in the scabbard, I managed to get it out but it was heavily rusted, deep rust. The rust had rotted the inside of the scabbard. The way these scabbards are made heavy rust will break up the materials. The scabbard is made with vainer like slat of wood either side of the blade, then rolled in cotton fabric and finally covered with leather. So as the blade came out debris of the wood came out with it and now the blade will not go back in. I cleaned the blade of rust so just bit of a wall hanger.

Marc M. · 11th October 2024, 03:12 PM

This is my duplicate, which has a military blade from Europe that is probably French because of the previous colonial impact.

Regards
Marc

Changdao · 11th October 2024, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc M.

This is my duplicate, which has a military blade from Europe that is probably French because of the previous colonial impact.

Regards
Marc

It looks like a cut down 1822 French Light Cavalry saber

29th September 2024, 08:47 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Got this piece at real knock down price as the blade is stuck in the scabbard. I am hoping for easy retrieval and a fair condition blade that is not too rusty, fingers cross. Will follow up. I was meant to be no longer collecting. Attached Images

29th September 2024, 10:03 PM	#3
Pertinax Member Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: City by the Black Sea Posts: 159	This is my copy, not old, the blade is clearly locally made. I have long wanted to buy something more "ancient", but so far it has not been possible. Attached Images

29th September 2024, 10:34 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	This is one I had with a native blade quite flexible and razor . There. is a much better photo of it with the scabbard some where on this site but I cannot find it for now. Wish I had kept it now. Sold the bulk of the collection some time ago. Why did I do that??? I do not know. The money went so quickly. Attached Images

5th October 2024, 04:59 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I am glad I did not pay much for this sword. Once stuck in the scabbard, I managed to get it out but it was heavily rusted, deep rust. The rust had rotted the inside of the scabbard. The way these scabbards are made heavy rust will break up the materials. The scabbard is made with vainer like slat of wood either side of the blade, then rolled in cotton fabric and finally covered with leather. So as the blade came out debris of the wood came out with it and now the blade will not go back in. I cleaned the blade of rust so just bit of a wall hanger. Attached Images

11th October 2024, 03:12 PM	#6
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 159	This is my duplicate, which has a military blade from Europe that is probably French because of the previous colonial impact. Regards Marc Attached Images

28th September 2024, 08:53 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,944	Extremely well put Changdao!! This is probably one of the best and most comprehensive explanations of the dynamics of West African sword forms and those tribal peoples who used them that I have read. I like your perspective on 'survivor bias' with regard to the volumes of European blades coming into these trade networks in the 19th century resulting in the predominance of them in these swords acquired in that time. While it seems to me that the accounts of travelers noting the notably high volumes of European blades coming in by the 1830s seem suspiciously exaggerated, there were certainly large numbers circulating by the periods these tribal weapons were collected by westerners. With these blades in circulation for generations and remounted time and time again, it seems that the European blades were eagerly collected for posterity in the latter 19th century. We know, as Oakeshott noted, that many kaskaras with European blades were cannibalized for the cottage industry of creating medieval broadswords for gentlemens 'smoking rooms' displays.