Fabulous Mausers 98 inspired sword

Tim Simmons · 7th September 2007, 09:21 PM

Jim there was a thread on the bayonet type weapon I started some years ago. I have looked in the archive but I cannot find it, perhaps I have had one too many. Anyway after dismissing Asia and other places with much supportive evidence German Africa became very apparent. As to not seeing white people in Africa in the 1890s. One has to think of the problems of travel. Vast lands, lack of water, no roads. Very dispersed often small communities that have not been caught in the head light of history like the big names "Massai" that put up resistance untill thier resources could no longer finance war. There are books that tell of this situation. I can see a relation to first contact in the South Seas, only difference is that Africa has always had iron.

Tim Simmons · 7th September 2007, 09:38 PM

I have found the thread. Like in the old west it is only the big tribes and thier names that are with us in the 21 century but there were many other groups around, at present this is only just still so in Africa.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=east+africa

Jim McDougall · 8th September 2007, 02:17 AM

Thanks Tim, that was a pretty interesting thread that brought in some great discussion. I'm left with the idea that Berk was right in his assessment that the M1871 Mauser sword bayonet was closest, and that this appears to be a locally made interpretation. The scabbard, especially with the spike seems to correspond with the dagger type item on the thread with one on its scabbard. I believe it was suggested to have come from Tanganyika or regions around there.
It is most interesting that there was so much German colonial activity there around WWI and this is an excellent example of much studied wars where there were theaters of action seldom discussed. Returning once again to the movies, I am reminded of "African Queen" and the presence of the German navy in Africa (somebody get the popcorn, here I go again!

Really though, the fact that this interpretation of a Mauser bayonet appears to be from these regions in Africa tends to strengthen the suggestion that this firearm themed sword is also from the same regions.

Best regards,
Jim

Tim Simmons · 25th October 2007, 10:16 PM

This link eludes to the first white contact with the Turkana in 1888 so if we bere that in mind also the vastness in late 19th century Africa and other less celebrated groups of people, this weapon strikes me as a very fundamental response to a new world. There is an 88 mauser that could equally be the inspiration. To me the blunt nose is more indicative of the 1888 model
http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-M...Relations.html

katana · 13th November 2007, 12:33 PM

This recently finished on eBay....and is very relavent to this thread. Different in that the rifle is integeral to the blade (representing a rifle with fixed bayonet ?) and is not a blade 'hidden' within a 'rifle' scabbard.

Stated as 29" long and from Zimbabwe

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=011

Tim Simmons · 13th November 2007, 08:15 PM

Very interesting, looks like a model of the Martini rifle. British influence?

Jim McDougall · 13th November 2007, 08:53 PM

Beautifully done Katana!!!! Outstanding follow up on this subject. I really enjoyed this thread on a most unusual topic and I'm really glad to see more come up on it.
Thank you so much for posting this.
All the best,
Jim

25th October 2007, 10:16 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,958	This link eludes to the first white contact with the Turkana in 1888 so if we bere that in mind also the vastness in late 19th century Africa and other less celebrated groups of people, this weapon strikes me as a very fundamental response to a new world. There is an 88 mauser that could equally be the inspiration. To me the blunt nose is more indicative of the 1888 model http://www.everyculture.com/Africa-M...Relations.html Last edited by Tim Simmons; 26th October 2007 at 08:22 AM. Reason: spelling

13th November 2007, 12:33 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	This recently finished on eBay....and is very relavent to this thread. Different in that the rifle is integeral to the blade (representing a rifle with fixed bayonet ?) and is not a blade 'hidden' within a 'rifle' scabbard. Stated as 29" long and from Zimbabwe http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.d...MEWA:IT&ih=011 Attached Images

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7th September 2007, 09:21 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,958	Jim there was a thread on the bayonet type weapon I started some years ago. I have looked in the archive but I cannot find it, perhaps I have had one too many. Anyway after dismissing Asia and other places with much supportive evidence German Africa became very apparent. As to not seeing white people in Africa in the 1890s. One has to think of the problems of travel. Vast lands, lack of water, no roads. Very dispersed often small communities that have not been caught in the head light of history like the big names "Massai" that put up resistance untill thier resources could no longer finance war. There are books that tell of this situation. I can see a relation to first contact in the South Seas, only difference is that Africa has always had iron.

7th September 2007, 09:38 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,958	I have found the thread. Like in the old west it is only the big tribes and thier names that are with us in the 21 century but there were many other groups around, at present this is only just still so in Africa. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ht=east+africa

8th September 2007, 02:17 AM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,799	Thanks Tim, that was a pretty interesting thread that brought in some great discussion. I'm left with the idea that Berk was right in his assessment that the M1871 Mauser sword bayonet was closest, and that this appears to be a locally made interpretation. The scabbard, especially with the spike seems to correspond with the dagger type item on the thread with one on its scabbard. I believe it was suggested to have come from Tanganyika or regions around there. It is most interesting that there was so much German colonial activity there around WWI and this is an excellent example of much studied wars where there were theaters of action seldom discussed. Returning once again to the movies, I am reminded of "African Queen" and the presence of the German navy in Africa (somebody get the popcorn, here I go again! Really though, the fact that this interpretation of a Mauser bayonet appears to be from these regions in Africa tends to strengthen the suggestion that this firearm themed sword is also from the same regions. Best regards, Jim

13th November 2007, 08:15 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,958	Very interesting, looks like a model of the Martini rifle. British influence?

13th November 2007, 08:53 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,799	Beautifully done Katana!!!! Outstanding follow up on this subject. I really enjoyed this thread on a most unusual topic and I'm really glad to see more come up on it. Thank you so much for posting this. All the best, Jim