Mandingo Sword Club? British shillelagh sword club?

[RobT]

Hi DavidFriedman,

From what I can see, the blade profile with its distal taper is very clean and well done. The bilateral symmetry (including the tip) appears to be perfect. The deep fuller is sharply and evenly cut. Given the apparent depth of the fuller, is there one on the other side? Taken together, the blade characteristics make me suspect at least partial power tool manufacture. While the hilt with its lathe cut pommel does look African, It could just as easily be from Europe. I don't recall ever having seen an African dagger sheath with bark on it. Really good looking piece by the way.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Gavin Nugent]

Originally Posted by RobT

I don't recall ever having seen an African dagger sheath with bark on it. Really good looking piece by the way.

Sincerely,
RobT

I believe this is simulated bark Rob. A combination of fabrics, resin and lacquers. I have seen such methods used on high end Japanese sword canes and come to think of it, I have a Katana sword cane here is leather that is made to look like wood with raised protrusions too...

[DavidFriedman]

Thanks RobT,
I was wondering about this blade, it’s so clean. Yes the fuller is found on both sides of the very thin flexible blade. Any guesstimate on on the possible age of this blade by its form? It doesn’t have any stamp marks on it.

Thanks

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi DavidFriedman,

From what I can see, the blade profile with its distal taper is very clean and well done. The bilateral symmetry (including the tip) appears to be perfect. The deep fuller is sharply and evenly cut. Given the apparent depth of the fuller, is there one on the other side? Taken together, the blade characteristics make me suspect at least partial power tool manufacture. While the hilt with its lathe cut pommel does look African, It could just as easily be from Europe. I don't recall ever having seen an African dagger sheath with bark on it. Really good looking piece by the way.

Sincerely,
RobT