New African knife

Freddy · 11th March 2014, 04:45 PM

I don't think it is as new as it looks on the first pics.

Vandoo has a point when he states that sometimes weapons were polished. Even irons weapons from Africa were polished. Each warrior likes to tend to his 'tools of trade'.

Here are some more pics. I took them without flashlight.

Sajen · 11th March 2014, 05:30 PM

Only my thoughts! Since Freddy have bought it from an auction house nobody will know for sure who have polished the blade, most proable the former owner/collector IMHO.
But what look weird is how the blade is attached to the handle.

Freddy, can you take some close ups from the handle? And what you think byself? Is the handle old and show patination?

Regards,
Detlef

Tim Simmons · 11th March 2014, 06:00 PM

It looks Mangbetu probably is Mangbetu. I feel sure I have seen a steel blade blade much the same without the marks.

Freddy · 11th March 2014, 08:08 PM

The blade is fastened to the handle by means of some kind of resin (?). Mostly, Mangbetu pieces have a tang which goes through the handle. This is not the case with this knife.

I took a pic of the base of the blade. Hopefully, you can see the way this blade is fixed to the handle.

Freddy · 11th March 2014, 08:18 PM

Just found a picture of similar handles. These are attributed to the Mangbetu. Compare them to the handle on my knife.

This picture comes from the book 'Rare African Short Weapons' by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983)

11th March 2014, 04:45 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I don't think it is as new as it looks on the first pics. Vandoo has a point when he states that sometimes weapons were polished. Even irons weapons from Africa were polished. Each warrior likes to tend to his 'tools of trade'. Here are some more pics. I took them without flashlight. Attached Images

11th March 2014, 08:08 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The blade is fastened to the handle by means of some kind of resin (?). Mostly, Mangbetu pieces have a tang which goes through the handle. This is not the case with this knife. I took a pic of the base of the blade. Hopefully, you can see the way this blade is fixed to the handle. Attached Images

11th March 2014, 08:18 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Just found a picture of similar handles. These are attributed to the Mangbetu. Compare them to the handle on my knife. This picture comes from the book 'Rare African Short Weapons' by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983) Attached Images

11th March 2014, 05:30 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,161	Only my thoughts! Since Freddy have bought it from an auction house nobody will know for sure who have polished the blade, most proable the former owner/collector IMHO. But what look weird is how the blade is attached to the handle. Freddy, can you take some close ups from the handle? And what you think byself? Is the handle old and show patination? Regards, Detlef

11th March 2014, 06:00 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	It looks Mangbetu probably is Mangbetu. I feel sure I have seen a steel blade blade much the same without the marks.