Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


22 - African Somali Sword, Late 19th or Early 20th Century

Lew attributed this short double-edged sword with its distinctive pommel and pommel spike to a culture from within Somalia in east Africa. The hilt has been formed of dark horn with the pommel spike, ferrule and grip bands formed of gray metal suggestive of pewter, though aluminum is also possible. The 18½ inch long double edged blade intentionally becomes slightly asymmetrical towards the tip. A narrow midline flat arising at the hilt quickly narrows into a low midrib. A leather scabbard accompanies the sword and shows some shrinkage with damage at the end such that the tip of the blade may peek out if the sword is inserted too far; also, it appears that an integral leather strap has long ago been cut away. Mild pitting is scattered on both faces of the blade and there are very fine defects in the horn and slight damage to the forward-most metal grip band. Overall length is 26½ inches with a weight of 17.1 ounces.




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