Shi sword for comment
 

I am enclossing a few pictures of the sword I have acquired recently. I think it is not long, not short - the total length (in the sheath) is 78 cms, length of the blade is 59 cms. Interesting is that the blade is relatively wide - it is 4 cms wide at the base (I thought Shi swords were narrower). Thickness of the blade is 1.2 - 1.3 cm at the central rib. It is heavy and it could be used as a machete (again surprising for me).
The sheath is two-coloured and I would like to know, if this has any implication, or if the reason is purely aesthetical (till now I saw only one colour Shi sheaths).
Fur was wrapped around the sheath at its end and at its mouth. I removed it temporarily to check the state of the wood, but, very probably, I will not put it back, since the state of the fur is bad (it is losing hair). Does the fur has any deeper sence, or is it just decoration ? Any comment is warm welcome.
Regards,
Martin

Hello Martin,

very nice Shi sword of good age. To sad that the fur is in bad state. I think that it is added for talismanic purpose. The two coloured scabbard is decorative IMVHO.

Regards,
Detlef

A two-coloured sheath is fairly common but usually the two-tone effect was obtained by metal wire.

There is something really I like about these and other swords from surrounding areas.

Shi sword and dagger from my collection.

This one was once in my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=shi-havu

A NICE SWORD :) THE FUR LOOKS LIKE RABBIT AND IF IT IS, IS NOT LIKELY TO HAVE BEEN SOMETHING HUNTED AND USED IN AFRICA. I DON'T KNOW IF WILD RABBITS OR HARE ARE IN AFRICA AT LEAST I NEVER SAW ANY. IT COULD BE SOMETHING ELSE AS THERE ARE PLENTY OF FURRY CRITTERS IN AFRICA BUT MOST I AM FAMILIAR WITH DON'T HAVE THE SOFT FEEL OF RABBIT FUR. IF ITS RABBIT PERHAPS THE SWORD WOULD BE BETTER IF IT IS NOT RE- ATTACHED DEPENDS ON HOW YOU LIKE IT BEST. :shrug:

Using fur on this type of sword is also not uncommon but used as belt or belt decoration. Probebly monkey fur.

Thank you all for the comments. There are wild rabbits in Africa - I would say they are common. The fur could be monkey, too ( I think there is more possibilities). Congoblades, thanks for nice pictures - I did not see such "superb" styles of the Shi swords till now. It ´s also nice o see the couple - dagger and sword in the same style. BTW, there are varieties (different handles etc.) - which other groups used this style sword (Tutsi ??) ?
Regards,
Martin

The one with fur and decorated scabbard should be Hutu - Tutsi.
These swords were worn to the rear of the head