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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
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Hi,
acquired this nice, possibly early 20th C, African dagger. Got it cheap as the blade was stuck in the scabbard. Gallons of oil, patience, and 'gentle' brute force finally freed the blade (rust on the blade). Overall very well made and sturdy (the brute force used proved that ![]() I am very happy with it....it feels 'good' in the hand ![]() OAL 13" (approx. 32 cms) Blade 7" (approx. 15.5cms) So please if anyone has any ideas or comments I would be grateful. Thanks David |
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#2 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Katana
I think this dagger belongs to the Dan people of the Ivory coast. I have a similar one in my collection. Lew |
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#3 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,780
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In Armes Traditionelles d'Afrique a dagger of very similar form is illustrated and listed as Mandingo Mali. But as we have seen many times and know, this type of work and form can be found across a great swath of West Africa from Ivory Coast as Lew mentioned to Northern Nigeria. I do not think there are many turtles in Mali or Northern Nigeria
![]() ![]() Last edited by Tim Simmons; 1st April 2007 at 12:23 PM. Reason: A little more reseach |
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#4 |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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OK here is mine it looks similar but not quite a match.
Lew |
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#5 |
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Location: Kent
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Hi Lew and Tim,
thanks for the info. Lew your's definately has similar features, but yours also seems to have more age ![]() I began to think that mine maybe circa WW2 (blade profile very similar to the Fairbairn Skykes commando dagger) but your seems very similar in dimensions. ![]() |
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#6 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 1,254
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My immediate feeling on the first dagger is Akan; possibly Ashanti. Compare the ring to those on Ahsanti rank swords.
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#7 | |
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Houston, TX, USA
Posts: 1,254
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#8 | |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
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Hi Tom, thanks for the reply.....would you have any images you could post? I have checked 'Spring' and googled...but found nothing ![]() Regards David |
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#9 |
Member
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: McDonough, GA
Posts: 48
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Here's an Ashanti sword from my archives. The bulbous guard and pommel are similar to those on Lew's dagger, but it has no ring.
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#10 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
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Thanks Joe,
I know of this type of ritual sword.....but could find none that had the ring pommel. Other than Lew's (which has many similar features to my dagger...except it seems to be wearing a fur coat ![]() ![]() ![]() Regards David |
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#11 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Hi All
I spoke with Wolf and he thinks this is a Mande or Mandingo dagger from West Africa. Lew |
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#12 |
Member
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Kent
Posts: 2,653
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Thanks Lew and Wolf
![]() for giving me another 'lead' as to its origins... Regards David |
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