African..spear ended....short fencing foil ??? Any ideas??

katana · 27th October 2006, 04:44 PM

Hi, just purchased this unusual short 'sword', probably West African...the 'shaft' is forged and square in cross section ends in a flattened spear head shape. The spearhead is inscribed with a group of 5 parallel lines and a group of 7 parallel lines, horizontally across the blade and on both sides.The hilt is wood covered in leather, with tassels and a wrist loop. The scabbard is way too long and may be original, assuming the shaft was originally longer, broken and was re-formed with the spear end. Or another 'fencing type' weapon was originally mated with this scabbard. Shows some age and use, possibly mid 20c? Metal work could be older...I certainly do not think this is tourist.

OAL 60cms
'Shaft' from hilt to point 46cms square section approx. 8mm x 8mm
spear point end ( 14cm long , 1.2 cms at widest point)

Scabbard, leather 80 cms long

Has any one seen anything similar? Comments ..as usual ..gratefully received, thankyou

Lew · 27th October 2006, 05:12 PM

Looks like a walking stick/ riding crop or cane with a hidden sword. Seems west African to me.

Lew

katana · 27th October 2006, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Looks like a walking stick/ riding crop or cane with a hidden sword.

Lew

Hi Lew, I think you are right..I had an vague idea it could be some sort of sword cane....unfortunately the 'scabbard' is broken (internally) in three places on the lower section...the leather covering is intact.

Originally it would have been quite 'stiff'.
However there is another clue..which I forgot to mention..there is a carved section to the hilt where the blade enters the handle... that fits very snuggly into the 'sheath' for approx. 1.5 cms ..1/2 '' similar to a 'ferrule' type arrangement. Which also seems to suggest a 'sword cane'
Also the OAL with the 'sword' in the 'scabbard' is 95cms..37.5'' ...a reasonable length for any walking stick

Tim Simmons · 27th October 2006, 08:45 PM

It looks like a sword cane and without doubt West African.

katana · 27th October 2006, 09:40 PM

I've found this on the web...not identical by any means..but relavent to the thread...

Made by local craftsmen to a European idea. It includes a re-used Michelin lorry tyre valve cap. It was confiscated by order of a court in Ghana, having been used in a quarrel between men from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). Obtained in 1944.

27th October 2006, 04:44 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	African..spear ended....short fencing foil ??? Any ideas?? Hi, just purchased this unusual short 'sword', probably West African...the 'shaft' is forged and square in cross section ends in a flattened spear head shape. The spearhead is inscribed with a group of 5 parallel lines and a group of 7 parallel lines, horizontally across the blade and on both sides.The hilt is wood covered in leather, with tassels and a wrist loop. The scabbard is way too long and may be original, assuming the shaft was originally longer, broken and was re-formed with the spear end. Or another 'fencing type' weapon was originally mated with this scabbard. Shows some age and use, possibly mid 20c? Metal work could be older...I certainly do not think this is tourist. OAL 60cms 'Shaft' from hilt to point 46cms square section approx. 8mm x 8mm spear point end ( 14cm long , 1.2 cms at widest point) Scabbard, leather 80 cms long Has any one seen anything similar? Comments ..as usual ..gratefully received, thankyou Attached Images

27th October 2006, 09:40 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	I've found this on the web...not identical by any means..but relavent to the thread... Made by local craftsmen to a European idea. It includes a re-used Michelin lorry tyre valve cap. It was confiscated by order of a court in Ghana, having been used in a quarrel between men from Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso). Obtained in 1944. Attached Images

27th October 2006, 05:12 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Looks like a walking stick/ riding crop or cane with a hidden sword. Seems west African to me. Lew

27th October 2006, 08:45 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	It looks like a sword cane and without doubt West African.