Huge Congo sword For Comment

Lew · 24th December 2005, 04:48 AM

Hi Guys

I picked this up last week about a 10 on Tims fish and chips scale

It has a 36" blade and the binding on the hilt seems to be copper. Were these swords used in war or are they just status symbols?

Lew

Freddy · 24th December 2005, 05:30 PM

hi Lew,

I believe you are hooked into African weapons, no ? An incurable desease !

This is a sabre used by the following tribes living in Congo : Ngbandi, Ngombe, Doko, Mbuja.
It's a real weapon, not a ceremonial piece. Tomorrow, I will post a picture of a similar piece, but with a difference...

Lew · 24th December 2005, 07:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

hi Lew,

It's a real weapon, not a ceremonial piece. Tomorrow, I will post a picture of a similar piece, but with a difference...

Freddy

Is the sword swung with the inner or outer edge in front?

Lew

Freddy · 25th December 2005, 07:43 PM

Here is the promised pic.

It comes from the book 'Seltene Afrikanische Waffen' (rare African short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983, p 58).
In his book, he states that this piece only has a decorative or ornamental function.
Length : 67 cm.

If I'm correct, both edges of your sword are sharpened. These swords were used to hit an opponent who is carrying a big shield. I guess it's used with the inner edge in front. In this way, one can go round the shield to hit the opponent.
Anyway, the other edge can also be used if necessary.

24th December 2005, 04:48 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Huge Congo sword For Comment Hi Guys I picked this up last week about a 10 on Tims fish and chips scale It has a 36" blade and the binding on the hilt seems to be copper. Were these swords used in war or are they just status symbols? Lew Attached Images

24th December 2005, 05:30 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	hi Lew, I believe you are hooked into African weapons, no ? An incurable desease ! This is a sabre used by the following tribes living in Congo : Ngbandi, Ngombe, Doko, Mbuja. It's a real weapon, not a ceremonial piece. Tomorrow, I will post a picture of a similar piece, but with a difference...

25th December 2005, 07:43 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here is the promised pic. It comes from the book 'Seltene Afrikanische Waffen' (rare African short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983, p 58). In his book, he states that this piece only has a decorative or ornamental function. Length : 67 cm. If I'm correct, both edges of your sword are sharpened. These swords were used to hit an opponent who is carrying a big shield. I guess it's used with the inner edge in front. In this way, one can go round the shield to hit the opponent. Anyway, the other edge can also be used if necessary.