NICE AFRICAN DAGGER

Lew · 29th September 2007, 11:29 PM

Just picked this up on ebay. I think it's Songye and not Boa but I can't be sure. I have several Boa swords and this one does not fit the general style.

Lew

Flavio · 29th September 2007, 11:36 PM

Hi Lew, very nice!!! The handle seems boa.....the blade ..... I have to see on references. Congrats

Lew · 30th September 2007, 08:04 PM

I added a pic of two other variations of Boa swords/daggers for comparison.

Lew

Jim McDougall · 1st October 2007, 05:54 AM

What features or elements would distinguish Songye from Boa Lew?

Lew · 1st October 2007, 04:18 PM

Jim

I have done some research and have asked a few of the other African collectors from the forum and I get a mixed review. The hilt could be Boa or Zande and not as i originally thought was Songye. What throughs me off is the blade. Every example that I have seen on the Boa blades exhibit a linear pattern of grooves on one side of the blade. This blade does not have that pattern of grooves. I am leaning more towards Zande now. I will take better photos when it arrives maybe that will help with identifying it more precisely.

Lew

Flavio · 1st October 2007, 08:16 PM

Hi Lew, I have seen on some books..... I think that the hilt is Boa..... the blade seems Songye but the two tribes are quite distant, but this is not a problem the blade could well travelled, but what let me think is that the blade is not tipical Songye and so I believe that the short sword is a rare Boa.... just a guess. For the Zande..... mmmmm I never seen a sword that shows clear characteristics that one can say "this is not mangbetu, nzakara or boa and so is Zande" I have always seen Zande guys (on old photos) that show straight swords from other tribes

but maybe I'm wrong....

Lew · 13th October 2007, 05:42 PM

The dagger arrived today and I snapped off a couple of pics for comparison. I am still not convinced that this is of Boa origin.

Lew

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th October 2007, 11:42 PM

Lew,
Be confident in the explanation of the seller, he's a great collector of African weapons.

Luc

Lew · 14th October 2007, 08:24 AM

Luc

Believe me I am not complaining or I am disappointed this is one beautifully made dagger it just threw me a little it must be a less common form than the ones I have seen in the past.

Lew

Flavio · 14th October 2007, 12:27 PM

Hello Lew, I think you are a fortunate guy! This is a rare (Boa) short sword indeed, and a very nice one!

Lew · 14th October 2007, 03:04 PM

Thanks Flavio and Luc!

Lew

29th September 2007, 11:29 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	NICE AFRICAN DAGGER Just picked this up on ebay. I think it's Songye and not Boa but I can't be sure. I have several Boa swords and this one does not fit the general style. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 30th September 2007 at 07:53 PM.

13th October 2007, 05:42 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The dagger arrived today and I snapped off a couple of pics for comparison. I am still not convinced that this is of Boa origin. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 13th October 2007 at 06:48 PM.

29th September 2007, 11:36 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Lew, very nice!!! The handle seems boa.....the blade ..... I have to see on references. Congrats

30th September 2007, 08:04 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I added a pic of two other variations of Boa swords/daggers for comparison. Lew

1st October 2007, 05:54 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,670	What features or elements would distinguish Songye from Boa Lew?

1st October 2007, 04:18 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Jim I have done some research and have asked a few of the other African collectors from the forum and I get a mixed review. The hilt could be Boa or Zande and not as i originally thought was Songye. What throughs me off is the blade. Every example that I have seen on the Boa blades exhibit a linear pattern of grooves on one side of the blade. This blade does not have that pattern of grooves. I am leaning more towards Zande now. I will take better photos when it arrives maybe that will help with identifying it more precisely. Lew

1st October 2007, 08:16 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Lew, I have seen on some books..... I think that the hilt is Boa..... the blade seems Songye but the two tribes are quite distant, but this is not a problem the blade could well travelled, but what let me think is that the blade is not tipical Songye and so I believe that the short sword is a rare Boa.... just a guess. For the Zande..... mmmmm I never seen a sword that shows clear characteristics that one can say "this is not mangbetu, nzakara or boa and so is Zande" I have always seen Zande guys (on old photos) that show straight swords from other tribes but maybe I'm wrong....

13th October 2007, 11:42 PM	#8
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Lew, Be confident in the explanation of the seller, he's a great collector of African weapons. Luc

14th October 2007, 08:24 AM	#9
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Luc Believe me I am not complaining or I am disappointed this is one beautifully made dagger it just threw me a little it must be a less common form than the ones I have seen in the past. Lew

14th October 2007, 12:27 PM	#10
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Lew, I think you are a fortunate guy! This is a rare (Boa) short sword indeed, and a very nice one!

14th October 2007, 03:04 PM	#11
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Thanks Flavio and Luc! Lew