Asian or African ?

Ian · 6th January 2018, 10:45 PM

Another large knife/short sword that I have had for many years. I acquired it via eBay in early 2000. Both the blade and hilt are very dark, which makes photography tricky. The blade is of a flattened diamond cross-section and has six facets. it is thick at the hilt and then flattens and widens progressively to the tip, although still maintaining a fairly thick cross-section at the tip. Both edges are sharp. The hilt is circular in cross-section and shaped as shown in the pictures; there is a bolster integral with the blade.

I have gone back and forth over the years as to whether this is African or Asian in origin. There are features of the flattened blade and circular hilt that seem African, but the thickness of the blade just in front of the hilt (about 14 mm) and the presence of a bolster seems out of place on an African sword and more reminiscent of blades from the tribal groups of NE India (e.g., Aka).

Ideas are very welcome.

Ian.

kahnjar1 · 6th January 2018, 11:31 PM

Hi Ian,
Just a guess really but I would say African. The handle does not look Asian and the blade looks very "heavy" for Asian blades.
Stu

Battara · 7th January 2018, 12:32 AM

A thought, could this be South American, say, Amazonian?

colin henshaw · 7th January 2018, 09:03 AM

Its African, from the Cameroons area. Here's a picture of another similar.

Battara · 7th January 2018, 06:29 PM

Ah....mystery solved!

Ian · 7th January 2018, 07:04 PM

Colin:

EXCELLENT--clear identification at last. Thank you for posting another example. Much appreciated.

Ian.

6th January 2018, 10:45 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Asian or African ? Another large knife/short sword that I have had for many years. I acquired it via eBay in early 2000. Both the blade and hilt are very dark, which makes photography tricky. The blade is of a flattened diamond cross-section and has six facets. it is thick at the hilt and then flattens and widens progressively to the tip, although still maintaining a fairly thick cross-section at the tip. Both edges are sharp. The hilt is circular in cross-section and shaped as shown in the pictures; there is a bolster integral with the blade. I have gone back and forth over the years as to whether this is African or Asian in origin. There are features of the flattened blade and circular hilt that seem African, but the thickness of the blade just in front of the hilt (about 14 mm) and the presence of a bolster seems out of place on an African sword and more reminiscent of blades from the tribal groups of NE India (e.g., Aka). Ideas are very welcome. Ian. Attached Images

7th January 2018, 09:03 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Its African, from the Cameroons area. Here's a picture of another similar. Attached Images

6th January 2018, 11:31 PM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Hi Ian, Just a guess really but I would say African. The handle does not look Asian and the blade looks very "heavy" for Asian blades. Stu

7th January 2018, 12:32 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,218	A thought, could this be South American, say, Amazonian?

7th January 2018, 06:29 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,218	Ah....mystery solved!

7th January 2018, 07:04 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,194	Colin: EXCELLENT--clear identification at last. Thank you for posting another example. Much appreciated. Ian.