Mystery sword for ID

DaveA · 4th April 2013, 05:33 AM

I've been asked to help identify the sword pictured here. The owner claims it has been in the family for generations and is from N. Africa. I don't recognize it, and I have my doubts about the age. Any ideas?

I have a few other pictures I can post if there is interest.

Thanks in advance!

Best Regards,

Dave A

asomotif · 4th April 2013, 06:31 AM

North Africa was my first thought seeing the picture and before reading your text. I guess the owners are right on that.

Tribe... sorry, I don't know.

Best regards,
Willem

Valjhun · 4th April 2013, 06:41 AM

mandingo sword, problably 60s. try the search function

Iain · 4th April 2013, 08:20 AM

Yes, Mandingo, I would guess mid 20th century.

DaveA · 4th April 2013, 12:27 PM

Gosh I love this place

Jim McDougall · 5th April 2013, 05:37 AM

Me too Dave

!!

As observed this is a traditional Mandingo sabre which typically seem situated in regions in Mali, but of course could reach into many contiguous areas (map of 1906 attached). I was once told by a Fulani tribesman that these in his language were termed 'kata' and the scabbard was called 'holga'(=house).
I cannot see too clearly the blade, but it looks pretty old, and it seems that these were most often mounted with vintage French military sabre blades, though I have seen some with other. Like most other North African swords, these were typically remounted generation to generation, and blades travelled the trade routes. The Mandingo tribes are known to have often situated near these trade routes and many were known as 'dyula' (=merchants) which of course accounts for the availability of blades for these.

4th April 2013, 05:33 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Mystery sword for ID I've been asked to help identify the sword pictured here. The owner claims it has been in the family for generations and is from N. Africa. I don't recognize it, and I have my doubts about the age. Any ideas? I have a few other pictures I can post if there is interest. Thanks in advance! Best Regards, Dave A Attached Images

4th April 2013, 12:27 PM	#5
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Thanks! Gosh I love this place

5th April 2013, 05:37 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Me too Dave !! As observed this is a traditional Mandingo sabre which typically seem situated in regions in Mali, but of course could reach into many contiguous areas (map of 1906 attached). I was once told by a Fulani tribesman that these in his language were termed 'kata' and the scabbard was called 'holga'(=house). I cannot see too clearly the blade, but it looks pretty old, and it seems that these were most often mounted with vintage French military sabre blades, though I have seen some with other. Like most other North African swords, these were typically remounted generation to generation, and blades travelled the trade routes. The Mandingo tribes are known to have often situated near these trade routes and many were known as 'dyula' (=merchants) which of course accounts for the availability of blades for these. Attached Images

4th April 2013, 06:31 AM	#2
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,224	North Africa was my first thought seeing the picture and before reading your text. I guess the owners are right on that. Tribe... sorry, I don't know. Best regards, Willem

4th April 2013, 06:41 AM	#3
Valjhun Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 692	mandingo sword, problably 60s. try the search function

4th April 2013, 08:20 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Yes, Mandingo, I would guess mid 20th century.