Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1021 - African Danakil (Ethiopia) Large Dagger and Sheath

The large double-edged 14½ inch (36½ cm) blade curves slightly at mid-length. There is a low mid rib and the blade surfaces have been dressed with a file with a long forging imperfection visible upon one face. Mild staining is seen upon the blade near the hilt and also near the acutely pointed tip. A wooden hilt that flares wider at either end is wrapped with thin brass wire and also coiled brass wire and has a large brass tapering cylinder as a pommel. The brown leather covered wooden scabbard has two brass bands on one face separated by a strip of wound and flattened copper wire just beyond its mouth. A leather suspension decorated with small brass loops is attached to the scabbard and to a rather cracked and worn leather strap. The end of the scabbard is decorated en suite with the hilt by fine brass wire and coiled brass wire. The sheath resists full insertion of the blade; partially inserted (as shown in the photograph) overall length is 22½ inches (58 cm). Overall weight is 29¾ ounces (862 grams).

Lew's presentation of this item in the forum




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