An interesting african knife with inscription

[Yvain]

Hi all !


Found and cleaned yesterday, this little knife has some interesting history attached to it !


Obviously West African, looking at the Quai Branly collection, I'm tempted to narrow it down to Guinea (https://www.quaibranly.fr/fr/explorer-les-collections/base/Work/action/show/notice/234985-couteau-et-gaine


https://www.quaibranly.fr/fr/explore...rd-et-fourreau



https://www.quaibranly.fr/fr/explore...223316-couteau



https://www.quaibranly.fr/fr/explore...au-et-fourreau)


Surprisingly, the pommel cap is made from a cartridge. Thanks to the markings on the rim, I was able to identify it, and it is a "balle D" 8mm mle 1896 for the French Lebel rifle (http://www.armeetpassion.com/8%20lebel-1.html).


The other unexpected element is the inscription on the blade "Souvenir de Massa Kohibogui" (Keepsake of Massa Kohibogui). The script is typical of the early 20th century. I had a hard time finding anything about this inscription, but finally I did found Massa Koibogui, a corporal from the Tirailleurs Sénégalais in Guinea, mentioned in the "Journal Officiel de la Guinée Française" in 1925 !


I'm almost certain that they are the same person : time frame, location, and the use of a french cartridge all points towards it. (And I did not find any homonym)



I honestly find it pretty amazing that an object like this could be linked to one identifiable person almost 100 years later !

[Ian]

Impressive investigative work, Yvain. Good job!

[TVV]

It is indeed rare to find an item that can be attributed to a particular person with any degree of certainty. I am even more impressed about your ability to research the items in your collection, and your overall contributions to enhancing our knowledge of West African knives and daggers.

[Yvain]

Thanks to both of you!

[Marc M.]

Hi Yvain


Always cool to link an object to a person, well done.


Regards
Marc

[Sajen]

Very good research work!