African sword for I.D. and comment

tribalarms · 8th April 2009, 05:55 PM

I would guess East Africa. I have seen similar carved bone hilts on smaller knifes.

It looks like a local copy of an Ethiopian Imperial Guard sword, but manufactured more south. Interesting.

Jim McDougall · 8th April 2009, 06:10 PM

I've always thought the Ethiopian gurades, which were of course of European style, typically had langets, and these often had the familiar lion of Judah. The idea of further south is interesting but I am presuming regions in one of the Central African countries is suggested other than Kenya.
The idea of ivory being readily available in those regions which were basically a thoroughfare for the trade routes originating in Zanzibar does make sense. These trade routes did continue cross continent into West Africa as well, so even though ivory and bone were not necessarily commonly used in hilts to the west, in singular cases it seems possible. Those extremely familiar circled dots of course are seen across North Africa in many weapons, and are often seen on grips in Central Asia, Balkans, India and not sure how many other of the trade network centers.
The style and scabbard still look west African, but as always, there are many possibilities.

Best regards,
Jim

tribalarms · 8th April 2009, 09:24 PM

I'm not sure if hotlinking is acceptable, but here is an Ethiopian Imperial Guard sword.

The ivory work on the handle is quite similar to other works in bone in the coastal region, including Tanzania. In Tanzania you also have a brittish tie.

It would make sense to make a local copy of an important symbol, traded along the coast. Or, perhaps an Askari connection?

Just guesses, I agree that it also could be west africa, but something points me to the trading routes of the east.

8th April 2009, 05:55 PM	#1
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	I would guess East Africa. I have seen similar carved bone hilts on smaller knifes. It looks like a local copy of an Ethiopian Imperial Guard sword, but manufactured more south. Interesting.

8th April 2009, 06:10 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I've always thought the Ethiopian gurades, which were of course of European style, typically had langets, and these often had the familiar lion of Judah. The idea of further south is interesting but I am presuming regions in one of the Central African countries is suggested other than Kenya. The idea of ivory being readily available in those regions which were basically a thoroughfare for the trade routes originating in Zanzibar does make sense. These trade routes did continue cross continent into West Africa as well, so even though ivory and bone were not necessarily commonly used in hilts to the west, in singular cases it seems possible. Those extremely familiar circled dots of course are seen across North Africa in many weapons, and are often seen on grips in Central Asia, Balkans, India and not sure how many other of the trade network centers. The style and scabbard still look west African, but as always, there are many possibilities. Best regards, Jim

8th April 2009, 09:24 PM	#3
tribalarms Member Join Date: May 2008 Posts: 26	I'm not sure if hotlinking is acceptable, but here is an Ethiopian Imperial Guard sword. The ivory work on the handle is quite similar to other works in bone in the coastal region, including Tanzania. In Tanzania you also have a brittish tie. It would make sense to make a local copy of an important symbol, traded along the coast. Or, perhaps an Askari connection? Just guesses, I agree that it also could be west africa, but something points me to the trading routes of the east.