A few pictures from the Sudan National Museum

Iain · 16th January 2014, 04:47 PM

The Tebu item should be iron/steel I think. I have something a bit similar from Cameroon.

Wolf also has a great one on his site: http://www.africanarms.com/all-albums/!/oa/6644101-90574702/

Edster · 16th January 2014, 09:24 PM

Martin/Iain,

The attached Tebu sword was purchased in Kartoum in 1986 and is "almost as new". While the grip is classic Tebu design, the blade reflects a different style: shorter, pointed and without the central rib. The blade is fairly thick and the piece is well balanced. Unfortunately, it now has a cut near the point that could reflect not the best heat treat. Maybe just a be "tourist piece" although there wasn't much of a tourist trade at the time. Never saw anyone carrying one so can't tell if it was made for the local market as well.

Regards,
Ed

Iain · 16th January 2014, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Edster

Martin/Iain,

The attached Tebu sword was purchased in Kartoum in 1986 and is "almost as new". While the grip is classic Tebu design, the blade reflects a different style: shorter, pointed and without the central rib. The blade is fairly thick and the piece is well balanced. Unfortunately, it now has a cut near the point that could reflect not the best heat treat. Maybe just a be "tourist piece" although there wasn't much of a tourist trade at the time. Never saw anyone carrying one so can't tell if it was made for the local market as well.

Regards,
Ed

Good to see you posting Ed. I've seen this basic style on various auctions over the last few years. My impression was that the vintage was much the same as your collection date. Anywhere from the 1970s on. Most had these fairly flat profile blades without the dramatic midrib. I would guess it's a fairly authentic style, as you say, not much tourism around at the time. I'll dig up a few older pieces from my photo archive for comparison.

Iain · 16th January 2014, 10:24 PM

Here's a few from the musee du quai Branly.

Gavin Nugent · 17th January 2014, 12:32 AM

Limited cold weapons maybe Martin but those bronze weapons are to die for...so very rarely are any encountered with anything other than just the blades.

Thank you for sharing!

Gavin

16th January 2014, 04:47 PM	#1
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	The Tebu item should be iron/steel I think. I have something a bit similar from Cameroon. Wolf also has a great one on his site: http://www.africanarms.com/all-albums/!/oa/6644101-90574702/ Attached Images

16th January 2014, 09:24 PM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 415	Martin/Iain, The attached Tebu sword was purchased in Kartoum in 1986 and is "almost as new". While the grip is classic Tebu design, the blade reflects a different style: shorter, pointed and without the central rib. The blade is fairly thick and the piece is well balanced. Unfortunately, it now has a cut near the point that could reflect not the best heat treat. Maybe just a be "tourist piece" although there wasn't much of a tourist trade at the time. Never saw anyone carrying one so can't tell if it was made for the local market as well. Regards, Ed Attached Images

16th January 2014, 10:24 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Here's a few from the musee du quai Branly. Attached Images

17th January 2014, 12:32 AM	#5
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Limited cold weapons maybe Martin but those bronze weapons are to die for...so very rarely are any encountered with anything other than just the blades. Thank you for sharing! Gavin