Mandingo (?) dagger with unusual brass blade
 

I just get this unusal Mandingo (?) dagger. The blade from brass is square-section and become octagonal toward the tip and is incised. The blade is 9'' long (22,9 cm), the complete dagger is 12,5'' (31,75 cm) without the the leather fringe.

I am correct that it is a Mandingo dagger? Have someone seen somthing similar before and is it a real weapon or something ceremonial?

All hints about this piece are very welcome.

I've seen similar basic form on spear components. I can't recall it in this context before. A the leather work does not have particularly great age, at least judging from the photos, I would have to at least raise the possibility this is some sort of composite piece? But I am really not sure.

Hello Ian,

thank you for comment. There is of course the possibility that this is a composite piece but I have looked long to the ebay listing (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251233220747...84.m1439.l2649) and the stating of the seller that the dagger could be 50-75 years old seems reasonable and believable when you look to the other offered items and descriptions. So I think/hope that the dagger is authentic.
I have found after some research this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=mandingo
So seems the use of brass blades not uncommon.

Regards,

Detlef

IT MAY BE A RIDING QUIRT, THEY ARE FAIRLY COMMON IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND A SQUARE BLADE AND SHORT LEGNTH IS NOT UNUSUAL IN A QUIRT WHERE IT IS UNUSUAL IN A DAGGER. VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP ON LEATHER AND BLADE WHATEVER IT IS. :)

Thank you Barry, the workmanship appealed my eyes and let me give a decent offer. And when I look to the given thread in up I see a lot of similarities with the dagger Tim have shown there.

Regards,

Detlef