AFRICAN???SWORD for ID and COMMENT

kahnjar1 · 20th June 2016, 03:38 AM

Another item out of my "comfort zone". I assume this is African also. The scabbard leather work is exceptionally good IMHO, both in quality and construction. The drag appears to be aluminium??? and the "peg" at the tip is copper.
The double edged sword blade appears to be a "local" forging, and is very sharp. There are no marks of any sort visible though the style seems to copy early European blades.
Judging by the length of the one piece strap, it could be designed to be worn over the shoulder. It does not hang properly if the strap is used as a belt, and there is no buckle.
Any ideas as to origin please.
Stu

Kubur · 20th June 2016, 12:33 PM

Hi Stu,

Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa.
It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali.
I think that your blade is older than you think.
The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade.
Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves?

Best,
Kubur

kahnjar1 · 20th June 2016, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Stu,

Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa.
It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali.
I think that your blade is older than you think.
The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade.
Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves?

Best,
Kubur

Hi Kubur,
As stated above, there are no visible marks on the blade.
Stu

Jim McDougall · 20th June 2016, 10:57 PM

Agree with Kubur..
The mounts seem characteristic of Manding work from Mali in degree, but overall West African styling. The aluminum scabbard chape seems like regular modern work on most scabbards from Sudan to Saharan regions.

What is curious in the blockish pommel and leather wrap handle which resembles Omani kattara type weapons, mostly 20th c.

The blade seems European trade type of 19th c. which were of course found on kaskara but known as well on Sierra Leone swords of late 19th c. with cylindrical handles.

Interesting assembly.

kahnjar1 · 21st June 2016, 09:15 PM

Thanks Gentlemen. Yes I agree sub Sahara, maybe Mali or Chad. The pommel top resembles those seen on other Taureg items and I agree the hilt style is very similar to those seen on Omani swords. The thing I like most about this is the leatherwork which is very nicely done IMHO. As has been said above, the blade could be an old European one.
Stu

Iain · 23rd June 2016, 10:36 AM

I'd lean towards 20th century locally made blade myself, it's subtle but the fullers and profile of the blade don't strike me as one of the older European trade blades. Just an opinion though based on photos.

20th June 2016, 03:38 AM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	AFRICAN???SWORD for ID and COMMENT Another item out of my "comfort zone". I assume this is African also. The scabbard leather work is exceptionally good IMHO, both in quality and construction. The drag appears to be aluminium??? and the "peg" at the tip is copper. The double edged sword blade appears to be a "local" forging, and is very sharp. There are no marks of any sort visible though the style seems to copy early European blades. Judging by the length of the one piece strap, it could be designed to be worn over the shoulder. It does not hang properly if the strap is used as a belt, and there is no buckle. Any ideas as to origin please. Stu Attached Images

20th June 2016, 12:33 PM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Stu, Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa. It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali. I think that your blade is older than you think. The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade. Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves? Best, Kubur

20th June 2016, 10:57 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Agree with Kubur.. The mounts seem characteristic of Manding work from Mali in degree, but overall West African styling. The aluminum scabbard chape seems like regular modern work on most scabbards from Sudan to Saharan regions. What is curious in the blockish pommel and leather wrap handle which resembles Omani kattara type weapons, mostly 20th c. The blade seems European trade type of 19th c. which were of course found on kaskara but known as well on Sierra Leone swords of late 19th c. with cylindrical handles. Interesting assembly.

21st June 2016, 09:15 PM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Thanks Gentlemen. Yes I agree sub Sahara, maybe Mali or Chad. The pommel top resembles those seen on other Taureg items and I agree the hilt style is very similar to those seen on Omani swords. The thing I like most about this is the leatherwork which is very nicely done IMHO. As has been said above, the blade could be an old European one. Stu

23rd June 2016, 10:36 AM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	I'd lean towards 20th century locally made blade myself, it's subtle but the fullers and profile of the blade don't strike me as one of the older European trade blades. Just an opinion though based on photos.