Long Somali Sword For Comment

Lew · 24th August 2006, 04:20 AM

Hi All

The Somali sword arrived today it's a real nice one and the scabbard is in great shape just a bit of the tip of the leather near the point is undone otherwise it is intact. Here it is with it's two other brothers.

Flavio · 24th August 2006, 10:30 AM

A very beautiful piece, Lew!!! Congrats

katana · 24th August 2006, 12:14 PM

Very nice Lew,
the first sword ...is the pommel spike aluminium?

Lew · 24th August 2006, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Very nice Lew,
the first sword ...is the pommel spike aluminium?

I think it's aluminium but the steel tang is sandwiched into the spike some how I can see the steel coming out of the end of the spike.

Tim Simmons · 24th August 2006, 08:10 PM

A great example very nice. The grey metal on these is zinc. I have one almost identical in size shape and scabbard. Another weapon that only seems to function in the thumb and forefinger grip.

Lew · 24th August 2006, 09:00 PM

Tim

Is this a 19th century or 20th century sword?

Lew

katana · 24th August 2006, 09:08 PM

Tim, .....Wow......zinc......Now that is significant

Zinc is used as a sacrifical anode..... when fixed /attached to iron or steel it helps PREVENT RUST. Due to electrolytic action the atoms of zinc 'sacrifice' themselves preventing the formation of iron oxide. The two metals have to be in contact. Lew mentioned the tang (iron/steel) passes through the pommel (zinc) therefor contact with each other is insured.

One question is ....was this effect 'learned' from outside Africa, or did they discover this themselves......or possibly...and highly unlikely (IMHO) that these two metals usage was just coincidental.

If this effect was known.....then you could summise that having a sword that 'does not rust' would be highly regarded ....perhaps even endowed with 'magical powers'.......bearing in mind the spiritual significance of blacksmiths and iron (in Africa) A substance that could 'protect' the revered iron..must have been seen as very 'powerful medicine'.

Tim Simmons · 24th August 2006, 09:27 PM

Hi David,
I know nothing of the qualities of zinc that you mention. The blade of mine has had some rust. Zinc has been been used as a decorative white metal in the east for a very long time. People have a tendancy to think zinc is a modern western metal.

24th August 2006, 04:20 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Somali Trio Hi All The Somali sword arrived today it's a real nice one and the scabbard is in great shape just a bit of the tip of the leather near the point is undone otherwise it is intact. Here it is with it's two other brothers. Attached Images

24th August 2006, 09:27 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,935	Hi David, I know nothing of the qualities of zinc that you mention. The blade of mine has had some rust. Zinc has been been used as a decorative white metal in the east for a very long time. People have a tendancy to think zinc is a modern western metal. Attached Images

24th August 2006, 10:30 AM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	A very beautiful piece, Lew!!! Congrats

24th August 2006, 12:14 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Very nice Lew, the first sword ...is the pommel spike aluminium?

24th August 2006, 08:10 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,935	A great example very nice. The grey metal on these is zinc. I have one almost identical in size shape and scabbard. Another weapon that only seems to function in the thumb and forefinger grip.

24th August 2006, 09:00 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Is this a 19th century or 20th century sword? Lew

24th August 2006, 09:08 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Tim, .....Wow......zinc......Now that is significant Zinc is used as a sacrifical anode..... when fixed /attached to iron or steel it helps PREVENT RUST. Due to electrolytic action the atoms of zinc 'sacrifice' themselves preventing the formation of iron oxide. The two metals have to be in contact. Lew mentioned the tang (iron/steel) passes through the pommel (zinc) therefor contact with each other is insured. One question is ....was this effect 'learned' from outside Africa, or did they discover this themselves......or possibly...and highly unlikely (IMHO) that these two metals usage was just coincidental. If this effect was known.....then you could summise that having a sword that 'does not rust' would be highly regarded ....perhaps even endowed with 'magical powers'.......bearing in mind the spiritual significance of blacksmiths and iron (in Africa) A substance that could 'protect' the revered iron..must have been seen as very 'powerful medicine'.