Native North African sword

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by kai

At first glance I also was entertaining the thought this might be a kattara.

Like Ariel and Jim, I believe this to be an African sword though (especially the fittings are far from Arab style). IMHO, the blade could as well originate from Africa. Thus, only the hilt may be suggesting an Omani origin but I'm not convinced of that either: The pommel cap doesn't look like a make-shift replacement and could as well be original? Jim, are there any similarly tapering hilts known from Africa?

Regards,
Kai

Kai, there are of course many variations in the wide diffusion of weapons in North Africa, and cylindrical hilts are known in the Maasai seme, as well as the Manding sabre. The Manding sabres of Mali seem to have hilts that recall Omani style, and as Ariel has suggested, the wrap suggests Manding. The reptilian skin however is most probably from the waran lizard, suggesting Sudanese provenance.
In rechecking the Sierra Leone swords that often carry kaskara type broadsword blades, thier hilts are with a symmetrical 'dumbbell' type pommel and guard, so would not correspond with the hilt seen here.

My impression remains most likely Eastern Sudan, with possibly Bedouin association. The Omani kattara with broadsword blade certainly travelled inland with trade routes, and there are Omani hilted sabres as well.

Best regards,
Jim