African Sword Origin?

laEspadaAncha · 7th July 2011, 01:29 AM

So this sword came to me as part of a collection I acquired last year. I like it, and as I'm rotating a few pieces in/out of the displayed part of my African collection, I am hoping to learn more about it.

While the symmetrically-recurved blade looks to me as if it might serve a ceremonial function, this is the most "sword-like" (presumably central) African sword I have held… The 44cm / 17.25 inch blade (56 cm, or 22 inches overall) feels great & well-balanced in the hand... it feels like a real user.

The blade is two-toned, blackened in the shallow fullers on either side of a strong, forged medial ridge. It is doubled-edged. The waisted hilt is one piece, and looks to be well-aged with honest patina. The tang is peened at the pommel. The scabbard is one-piece hide, stitched with fiber.

Any feedback re: origin would be greatly appreciated…

Thanks…

Chris

tom hyle · 7th July 2011, 01:41 AM

I've seen an extremely similar spear blade presented as Ashanti, but don't know the accuracy of that....

tom hyle · 7th July 2011, 03:09 AM

For a non-African example of swords that serate with big, symetrical, pointed serations, BTW, see ancient Etruscan swords.

colin henshaw · 8th July 2011, 10:58 AM

Hi

Looks a good old, honest knife from the Congo, nice having the sheath. I can't find an exact match for it in my books, but could be Konda tribe.

Its often difficult to ascribe Congo weapons exactly I find, as there were many crossover influences.

Regards.

Freddy · 8th July 2011, 12:32 PM

Very nice sword. Good to have the sheath.

I'm almost certain it comes from the Konda tribe in Congo.

laEspadaAncha · 8th July 2011, 05:06 PM

Thank you Tom, Colin & Freddy...

7th July 2011, 01:29 AM	#1
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	African Sword Origin? So this sword came to me as part of a collection I acquired last year. I like it, and as I'm rotating a few pieces in/out of the displayed part of my African collection, I am hoping to learn more about it. While the symmetrically-recurved blade looks to me as if it might serve a ceremonial function, this is the most "sword-like" (presumably central) African sword I have held… The 44cm / 17.25 inch blade (56 cm, or 22 inches overall) feels great & well-balanced in the hand... it feels like a real user. The blade is two-toned, blackened in the shallow fullers on either side of a strong, forged medial ridge. It is doubled-edged. The waisted hilt is one piece, and looks to be well-aged with honest patina. The tang is peened at the pommel. The scabbard is one-piece hide, stitched with fiber. Any feedback re: origin would be greatly appreciated… Thanks… Chris Attached Images

8th July 2011, 05:06 PM	#6
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Thank you Tom, Colin & Freddy... Last edited by laEspadaAncha; 9th July 2011 at 09:01 AM.

7th July 2011, 01:41 AM	#2
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	I've seen an extremely similar spear blade presented as Ashanti, but don't know the accuracy of that....

7th July 2011, 03:09 AM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	For a non-African example of swords that serate with big, symetrical, pointed serations, BTW, see ancient Etruscan swords.

8th July 2011, 10:58 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Hi Looks a good old, honest knife from the Congo, nice having the sheath. I can't find an exact match for it in my books, but could be Konda tribe. Its often difficult to ascribe Congo weapons exactly I find, as there were many crossover influences. Regards.

8th July 2011, 12:32 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very nice sword. Good to have the sheath. I'm almost certain it comes from the Konda tribe in Congo.