Genoui/s'boula?

kronckew · 11th March 2024, 12:43 AM

Just aquired this genoui, or is it a s'boula? it's 57cm. overall.

Any info, or comment, you can add on age, area of mfg., tribe, etc. is appreciated.

TVV · 11th March 2024, 04:25 AM

If you go by Eric Claude's book on Moroccan and Algerian arms, he seems to use Genoui for shorter daggers, and Sboula for the longer ones. Yours would fall into the Sboula category based on size. Not sure if such classification would be correct from a traditional point of view, as is the case with a lot of terminology that is frankly the invention of modern collectors like us.

It is Moroccan, and I would date it to the late 19th, early 20th century. I cannot tell from the pictures, but is it possible it was made from the blade of an M1874 Gras rifle?

Very nice item, good acquisition.

kronckew · 11th March 2024, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

... is it possible it was made from the blade of an M1874 Gras rifle?

Very nice item, good acquisition.

Thanks. I suspect it is indeed a repurposed French bayonet blade. I happen to have been sent one by a friend a while back, sans scabbard. He had no use for it, & I'll eventually 'convert' it myself. I'll compare them when it arrives.

(don't care much for its uncomfortable military bayonet grip & mechanism.) I've heard the Legion was fond of dismounting them from their rifles for house clearing, they, on the rifle, were just too long. Probably better for trench clearing, too.)

kronckew · 14th March 2024, 08:30 PM

It arrived today, love it. Blade is 17 inches & obviously a French bayonet sacrificed itself to make this. I gather they were originally about 20 in, so the other 3 in. must be inside the grip, along with a thin steel section to which the two grip halves are riveted, possibly also to a drilled blade root stub. It's edge is very sharp. It's obviously very stabby indeed. Well balanced and comfortable in the hand, too. Essentially a long stiletto.

Sajen · 14th March 2024, 09:18 PM

Hello Wayne,

Is the handle from wood or goat horn?

Regards,
Detlef

11th March 2024, 12:43 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	Genoui/s'boula? Just aquired this genoui, or is it a s'boula? it's 57cm. overall. Any info, or comment, you can add on age, area of mfg., tribe, etc. is appreciated. Attached Images

11th March 2024, 04:25 AM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,620	If you go by Eric Claude's book on Moroccan and Algerian arms, he seems to use Genoui for shorter daggers, and Sboula for the longer ones. Yours would fall into the Sboula category based on size. Not sure if such classification would be correct from a traditional point of view, as is the case with a lot of terminology that is frankly the invention of modern collectors like us. It is Moroccan, and I would date it to the late 19th, early 20th century. I cannot tell from the pictures, but is it possible it was made from the blade of an M1874 Gras rifle? Very nice item, good acquisition.

14th March 2024, 08:30 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	It arrived today, love it. Blade is 17 inches & obviously a French bayonet sacrificed itself to make this. I gather they were originally about 20 in, so the other 3 in. must be inside the grip, along with a thin steel section to which the two grip halves are riveted, possibly also to a drilled blade root stub. It's edge is very sharp. It's obviously very stabby indeed. Well balanced and comfortable in the hand, too. Essentially a long stiletto.

14th March 2024, 09:18 PM	#5
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,761	Hello Wayne, Is the handle from wood or goat horn? Regards, Detlef