Boa sword for discussion
 

My new interest in african weapons let give me a careful bid to this sword: http://www.ebay.com/itm/african-lafr...vip=true&rt=nc
The sword is 64 cm long, so I would call it sword. Or is it still a dagger?
You know, I know nearly nothing about african weapons, so all informations I can get about this sword (fighting/ceremonial ?, age, ethnic group) are very welcome. Do you would clean carefully blade and copper binding at the handle?

Thank you very much,

Detlef

I HAVE VERY LITTLE KNOWLEGE ON THESE BUT WILL ADD WHAT LITTLE I CAN UNTIL THOSE WITH MORE KNOWLEGE CAN CONTRIBUTE. I CONSIDER THESE MORE OF A SHORT SWORD( TOO BIG FOR A DAGGER AND TOO SHORT FOR A PROPER SWORD). I WOULD JUST OIL THE BLADE AND PERHAPS THE WOOD AND LEAVE THE COPPER AS IS. THIS IS A NICE EXAMPLE AND THE WORKMANSHIP ON THE BLADE VERY GOOD. THE WOOD HANDLES ARE PLAIN AS USUAL THE COPPER BEING A NICE TOUCH AS WELL AS REINFORCING THE GRIP (SORT OF LIKE HAVING A FERRULE TO KEEP THE WOOD FROM SPLITTING IN THE MIDDLE) WHEN NEW OR UNUSED THESE OFTEN HAVE A BLACK FINISH WHICH IS TYPICAL FOR THESE AFRICAN IRON BLADES SO UNLESS THERE IS THICK ACTIVE BROWN RUST A GOOD OILING SHOULD DO. AS TO AGE NO GUESSES BUT IT LOOKS GOOD TO ME. :)

Thank you Barry, I have had already the feeling that nobody will comment! ;) :D The good forged blade was one point which let me bid.

Have done some research in the meanwhile and found this two threads:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=1779
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3355

Not easy, because "boa" is to short for a search. :mad:
Hope for the age that my one have the same age as the shown examples.

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlev, I saw it on ebay, not too expensive.
I estimate its age around 1930 perhaps 1940...Boa's from 1900 or older are rare.

I WAS THINKING OF THE NORMAL FORM OF THIS SWORD AS PICTURED IN THE EXAMPLES IN THE TWO OTHER THREADS. YOUR EXAMPLE IS A VARIATION OF WHAT IS USUALLY SEEN SO PERHAPS THE AFRICAN COLLECTORS CAN COMMENT ON THIS AND GIVE YOU A SUB-TRIBE, LOCATION OR TIME FRAME BASED ON THIS DIFFERENCE. GOOD LUCK :)

Acc. to M. Zirngibl´s book Panga na visu this nice sword has signs of Boa, Angba and Bandia on one side, but also of Kango, Benge Bati (?)

Hi Pije,

thank you! The price was indeed a good one! ;) The age is ok and the blade is very well forged.

Regards,

Detlef

Thank you again Barry. I think that I will need some good books, maybe I can get some informations which books I will need, i.e. what are good books about the subject.

Thank you Martin. How many books are written from Zirngibl? Have to google about this different tribes.

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Sajen, here are the relevant pictures from the book panga na visu
Regards,
Martin

Hello Martin,

thank you for posting. Just have ordered the book.

Regards,

Detlef

Have the boa sword received and I really like it. I am a little bit surprised that the blade is so thin but maybe I am fastidious from my Indonesian and Philippine swords. Anyway, the blade is well forged and the handle have a great old patina. I have cleaned the blade since there was some surface corrosion. Here some pictures.

Really nice, posts like this are pushing me towards starting collecting some Congo pieces as well. The artistry and variation is fascinating. :)

Thank you Ian, exactly this have been the reason why I have bought this sword.

BTW, just received "panga na visu", great book, a "must have" for collectors of african weapons.

Regards,

Detlef