North Cameroon sword

[Iain]

This will be on it's way to me soon. I have only one pic to share for the moment.

However I thought it would be interesting to start a discussion.

It has similarities to a few pieces discussed here in the past.

The blade has elements of one Martin posted in the past here.

The hilt, with what looks to be a metal pommel is similar to one Stephen posted a few years ago here, although the guards differ in that mine is leather covered, the shape seems very similar however.

There is also resemblance to some Kirdi guards and blades.

I've made a little compilation image with a few of the swords I can find that seem to be in the same family.

I find these fascinating personally as they seem to combine elements of takouba, kaskara and other sword forms and are usually quite sturdy and well made.

[colin henshaw]

Good looking sword Iain, seems there are various sub-styles and crossovers...

Wonder why the holes in the blade - for brass or copper studs ?

Regards.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Good looking sword Iain, seems there are various sub-styles and crossovers...

Wonder why the holes in the blade - for brass or copper studs ?

Regards.

Thanks Colin, yes judging by Martin's example which does have brass plugs, I assume mine would have had the same.

I'm still curious if these swords developed in form from takouba and kaskara or existed separately. Certainly takouba are prevalent in Cameroon in areas where the Fulani invaded or had influence.

[colin henshaw]

Iain,

I was wondering if you are able to comment on a point of interest to me regarding such Sahel swords and their relatives, ie. the iron used for the blades... Are you able to identify the blades in the following terms ? :-

a) Made in Europe and imported to Africa
b) Forged in Africa from scrap European iron
c) Forged in Africa from iron smelted there, using African iron ore
d) Some other category ??

Do you have a view on whether the above types of metal have an impact on corrosion levels and patterns, at all ?

Regards, Colin

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Iain,

I was wondering if you are able to comment on a point of interest to me regarding such Sahel swords and their relatives, ie. the iron used for the blades... Are you able to identify the blades in the following terms ? :-

a) Made in Europe and imported to Africa
b) Forged in Africa from scrap European iron
c) Forged in Africa from iron smelted there, using African iron ore
d) Some other category ??

Do you have a view on whether the above types of metal have an impact on corrosion levels and patterns, at all ?

Regards, Colin

Hi Colin,

a) Yes, these are the simplest in some ways. The quality difference is usually pretty clear.

b) Personally I'm not sure how to ID these. The finish, form, fullers etc. are what I usually go on to ID native versus non native.

c) Yes, some items like Tebu, some arm daggers etc. where it seems pretty clear when local ore is used.

d) I'd say none forged sheet metal items. Which are fairly easy to ID.

I have noticed different corrosion tendencies on European blades and sheet metal blades. However so much comes down to storage conditions, I'm not sure about using it as an ID method when it comes to European versus native steel/iron.

But I'm simply not much of a metallurgist!

Iain

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Colin,

a) Yes, these are the simplest in some ways. The quality difference is usually pretty clear.

b) Personally I'm not sure how to ID these. The finish, form, fullers etc. are what I usually go on to ID native versus non native.

c) Yes, some items like Tebu, some arm daggers etc. where it seems pretty clear when local ore is used.

d) I'd say none forged sheet metal items. Which are fairly easy to ID.

I have noticed different corrosion tendencies on European blades and sheet metal blades. However so much comes down to storage conditions, I'm not sure about using it as an ID method when it comes to European versus native steel/iron.

But I'm simply not much of a metallurgist!

Iain

Thanks for your reply, Iain. What do you think of this type of corrosion pattern ? I often see something similar on Somali and Sudanese blades, but not usually on Southern African weapons...

Regards.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Thanks for your reply, Iain. What do you think of this type of corrosion pattern ? I often see something similar on Somali and Sudanese blades, but not usually on Southern African weapons...

Regards.

Hi Colin,

I've noticed the same and had also wondered if it had something to do with the steel source. However I've seen similar corrosion on older European blades from the area, so I wonder if it's perhaps more the environment than anything else?

[Iain]

I've received the sword in question. I am very, very pleased with it. The blade is one of the nicest and most subtly executed African blades I've owned. The fullering is superb.

The hilt is leather covered like a takouba and has a solid and heavy cylindrical pommel. Overall this is obviously a combat sword, sharp, well balanced.

I'm fascinated by swords like these, cruciform hilt swords that are distinct from the kaskara and the takouba and this blade form in particular is very unique.

Not the greatest photos again I'm afraid, nasty weather today and I had but a brief window outside before the rains started up again.