East Africa Billao

G. Mansfield · 1st April 2017, 12:30 AM

The first is what may be considered a Tooray Dagger from (Somaliland) Ethiopia, Somalia. It has an asymmetrical Billao style iron blade, appearing better than usual quality with a raised central ridge which I don't see too often on these suggesting it may have some age to it, possibly reworked from recycled metal.

Description:
Assumed age: C.1900-1940
Brass, Bone and horn hilt
Overall Length: 11 ¼” (28.5cm)
Blade Length: 6 ¼” (16cm)

References:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=billao
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=billao+dagger
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/vintage-saturday-4/

The second is the common Ivory hilted with single silver pommel cap. Interesting enough, it seemed to be in the hands of one of the formites here (Nagawarrior) at one point, originating from Oriental Arms.

Description:
Age: Late 19th Century
Elephant Ivory, Brass, Horn, Silver, Decorated Hide Sheath
Overall Length W/ Sheath: 15 ¾” (40cm)
Hilt & Blade Length: 15 ¼” (38.5cm)
Blade Length: 8 5/8” (22cm)

References:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bilao
http://oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=531

-Geoff

1st April 2017, 12:30 AM	#1
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 83	East Africa Billao The first is what may be considered a Tooray Dagger from (Somaliland) Ethiopia, Somalia. It has an asymmetrical Billao style iron blade, appearing better than usual quality with a raised central ridge which I don't see too often on these suggesting it may have some age to it, possibly reworked from recycled metal. Description: Assumed age: C.1900-1940 Brass, Bone and horn hilt Overall Length: 11 ¼” (28.5cm) Blade Length: 6 ¼” (16cm) References: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=billao http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=billao+dagger https://www.forgottenweapons.com/vintage-saturday-4/ The second is the common Ivory hilted with single silver pommel cap. Interesting enough, it seemed to be in the hands of one of the formites here (Nagawarrior) at one point, originating from Oriental Arms. Description: Age: Late 19th Century Elephant Ivory, Brass, Horn, Silver, Decorated Hide Sheath Overall Length W/ Sheath: 15 ¾” (40cm) Hilt & Blade Length: 15 ¼” (38.5cm) Blade Length: 8 5/8” (22cm) References: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bilao http://oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=531 -Geoff Attached Images