![]() |
![]() |
#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
|
![]()
Hi,
just acquired (but waiting for delivery) this 'Seme' although it has the overall shape and profile of one, it is quite large...blade is 28" long (71cms) OAL is 34" (86cms). The handle is in two sections leather and then the final section is overbound with wire. The blade is 1cm thick at hilt, so combined with its length, I imagine it's quite 'heafty'. No scabbard, unfortunately to help ID Has anyone any comments / ideas as to origins or date. Thank you Regards David |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
|
![]()
Hi
Unusual - I can't place it exactly. The form looks like an older type of seme, but the hande seems a bit odd, wonder whats under the binding (that part looks modern from the photos). Maybe its from one of the tribes near to the Masai or down into Tanzania ? Look forward to seeing more photos when you get the piece. Regards |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#3 |
Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,222
|
![]()
I had a similar seme about 2 years ago.
I believe I also had a thread on that on, so will see if I can find it. (there it is ![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#4 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
|
![]()
Thank you Colin and Asomotif for your input
![]() according to the posting asomotif 'linked' the dimensions suggest a 'war' sword ![]() Can I safely assumed that this is likely a late 19th C to early 20th C (pre 1935 ) This quoted from the same thread.... Quote:
Last edited by katana; 18th September 2008 at 03:42 PM. |
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#5 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
|
![]()
The Seme has arrived ...and is better than I thought
![]() The wire used in the handle is cable which has been covered in leather (which follows the 'contours' of the wire below. The tang is slightly exposed at the end. Although the handle is useable, I can't help feeling that this was likely used two handed by gripping the forte. There is a nice patina to the blade and although the handle seems to have had a repair...it looks as if this was done quite awhile ago. Would late 19th C early 20th C be likely? Please any info / comments greatly appreciated, thankyou Regards David |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#6 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
|
![]()
Hi
sorry to 'bump' the thread, but has anyone any idea about this Seme. I still have doubts that this is Masai. Spring's "African arms and armour" has little information, and Stone's " A glossary....arms and armour..." also has only a 'basic' description. Any further info. would be greatly appreciated, thank you. Regards David |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,776
|
![]()
It might be a Tutsi or Hutu version of what we know as a Seme?
|
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#8 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,430
|
![]()
Hi David
This type of sword was used by very many tribes and tribal groupings throughout Eastern Africa - very difficult to place exactly without some provenance or collection data. Chris Peers' book "Armies of the Nineteenth Century: Africa", has some good drawings... Looks an old piece to me, but the wire wrapped bit to the handle doesn't seem right, I suspect there was a wooden finial to the handle there originally that had become damaged, and the wire is a later replacement covering. Regret I cannot be more specific. Regards, Colin |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#9 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,776
|
![]()
Looking at this closely I am begining to think that the wire may well be original to the making of this piece. As Colin says East Africa is a vast land and artifacts morph over distance. It is not unusual to see the utilisation of European materials to finish objects of all sorts. I assume the wire is sleaved in a form of plastic? The type will help age the piece? I would suggest this is something from the 1930s as RomaRana has already stated. The wire coming from a viechle or some other European manufacture.
Last edited by Tim Simmons; 25th September 2008 at 08:33 PM. Reason: spelling spelling!! |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
#10 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
|
![]()
Hi Colin and Tim
![]() thank you for your input, the braided wire maybe plastic coated, (looking through a magnifying glass) but of a type that looks 'antiquated' ....if that makes sense ...ie not a modern polymer. But, I feel the handle is foreign to the original blade, the tang being exposed suggests that this was a later repair. The 'patina' of the blade does suggest some age, older, I think, than the 'wire wrap'. I believe had the scabbard been available it would help to ID it's origins more accurately....but am happy to think that this is late 19th C to early 20th C, 'locally' forged in or around East Africa ( ![]() It is very nicely forged, has good temper and is, I think, a nice example of an 'older' seme... certainly a weapon ... shame about the fact there is no scabbard...but I am happy , never the less ![]() Regards David |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
|
|