Thank you Tim and Ahriman,
Although it is very possible this sword is a copy of a French sabre, I am realy not sure because the finish of the handle is far better than what I was expected to see in local swords in Mali, especially the Mandings one. Maybe it is a copy, but from another country / culture ?
I am also sending this picture of the reverse side of the handle, with a mysterious number that eludes me. A serial number or a remnant of a scavenged metal part ?
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