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Old 7th April 2007, 09:54 PM   #1
fernando
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Default IS THIS AN AFRICAN DAGGER ? PAGING THE EXPERTS

Quite a bizarre specimen.
The seller only had it with him for a couple days ... no time to identify it.
Th blade is 21,5 cms ( 8 1/2" ) long.
Grip and scabbard are cast brass ... seller mentioned lost wax?!
There is an eliptical window in the scabbard ... i ignore the purpose.
In its back there is a frog button. In the front, there is an arch loop.
The blade looks used and some old. It has equal decoration/marks on both sides.
Somebody help me to identify this piece ?
Thanks in advance
fernando
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Old 7th April 2007, 10:09 PM   #2
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Hello Fernando, seems some kind of variation of the Adamaua - Mandara daggers (North Cameroon).
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Old 7th April 2007, 11:11 PM   #3
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Thanks a lot Flavio.
Quite close. I will try and check further into that.
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Old 8th April 2007, 12:30 PM   #4
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Hi Fernando,
I'm no expert but the hilt design (not including the pommel) and blade shape seem to have Taureg inflences. Nice old piece
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Old 8th April 2007, 05:17 PM   #5
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Thanks David,
I was actually tending to beleive Flavio's sugestion was about right, specially because of those scabbard rounded tips. I just can't see in the pictures if those scabbards are perforated, which would better define the similarity with my piece. I also have "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" in a CD, but i can't see any better. My idea is that the "window" in the scabbard is vital detail for identification, as also the blade marks. I wonder which is the scabbard face side, and if that button is really a frog holder. This way the window would be in the back side, against the body. However with that brass arch loop, would be uncomfortable, whatever purpose it would be for.
I wonder if Tim Simons has something like this in his collection ... or anybody else, anyway. I would love to know a few things about this item. Could all the details be just fantasy or functional parts.
I will keep looking, until further news come in.
Thanks again
fernando
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Old 8th April 2007, 06:37 PM   #6
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Hello Fernando, at least number 132 of "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" has oper work on the scabbard. Note also the particular on number 133 scabbard identical to yours.
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