British Army Swaggerstick?

Iliad · 24th December 2008, 10:29 PM

I am puzzled by the possible African origin, as the blade appears to my inexpert eye to be quite sophisticated in its manufacture. Maybe of European origin but exported to Africa and used there? I attach hopefully better pics of the blade. My apologies for poor pics; I am an Accountant, not a photographer!

Also, pics for comparative purposes, of what probably could not be called a swaggerstick, bought by me from a man who used to live in Kenya. He watched the village blacksmith make this weapon from scrap metal and then purchased it. The blade is crudely made when compared with the first one, hence my wondering at the attribution to Africa of the much more expertly made blade of the first.
All opinions welcome!
Brian

Tim Simmons · 25th December 2008, 11:39 AM

Might be time to explore more African work?

broadaxe · 26th December 2008, 04:42 PM

The blade of the swagger stick in question looks like have been a long European military-style sword blade in the beginning, re-worked. This is not uncommon. Look at the crude grinding marks at the edge and point and the zigzag decoration pattern.

Iliad · 27th December 2008, 12:34 AM

Gentlemen, thank you for your advice, which I shall mull over. I prefer to think that the item was heroically used in the Indian Mutiny by a British officer in the defence of a damsel in distress, slaying hundreds in the process! Alas, this may not be so!
I have begun two new threads, one of another swaggerstick(?) and one of a Saif............African, to please Tim.
Brian

24th December 2008, 10:29 PM	#1
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	Swaggerstick I am puzzled by the possible African origin, as the blade appears to my inexpert eye to be quite sophisticated in its manufacture. Maybe of European origin but exported to Africa and used there? I attach hopefully better pics of the blade. My apologies for poor pics; I am an Accountant, not a photographer! Also, pics for comparative purposes, of what probably could not be called a swaggerstick, bought by me from a man who used to live in Kenya. He watched the village blacksmith make this weapon from scrap metal and then purchased it. The blade is crudely made when compared with the first one, hence my wondering at the attribution to Africa of the much more expertly made blade of the first. All opinions welcome! Brian Attached Images

27th December 2008, 12:34 AM	#4
Iliad Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 187	British Army Swaggerstick? Gentlemen, thank you for your advice, which I shall mull over. I prefer to think that the item was heroically used in the Indian Mutiny by a British officer in the defence of a damsel in distress, slaying hundreds in the process! Alas, this may not be so! I have begun two new threads, one of another swaggerstick(?) and one of a Saif............African, to please Tim. Brian

25th December 2008, 11:39 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,875	Might be time to explore more African work?

26th December 2008, 04:42 PM	#3
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	The blade of the swagger stick in question looks like have been a long European military-style sword blade in the beginning, re-worked. This is not uncommon. Look at the crude grinding marks at the edge and point and the zigzag decoration pattern.