IS THIS AN AFRICAN DAGGER ? PAGING THE EXPERTS

Flavio · 7th April 2007, 10:09 PM

Hello Fernando, seems some kind of variation of the Adamaua - Mandara daggers (North Cameroon).

fernando · 7th April 2007, 11:11 PM

Thanks a lot Flavio.
Quite close. I will try and check further into that.

katana · 8th April 2007, 12:30 PM

Hi Fernando,
I'm no expert

but the hilt design (not including the pommel) and blade shape seem to have Taureg inflences.

Nice old piece

fernando · 8th April 2007, 05:17 PM

Thanks David,
I was actually tending to beleive Flavio's sugestion was about right, specially because of those scabbard rounded tips. I just can't see in the pictures if those scabbards are perforated, which would better define the similarity with my piece. I also have "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" in a CD, but i can't see any better. My idea is that the "window" in the scabbard is vital detail for identification, as also the blade marks. I wonder which is the scabbard face side, and if that button is really a frog holder. This way the window would be in the back side, against the body. However with that brass arch loop, would be uncomfortable, whatever purpose it would be for.
I wonder if Tim Simons has something like this in his collection ... or anybody else, anyway. I would love to know a few things about this item. Could all the details be just fantasy or functional parts.
I will keep looking, until further news come in.
Thanks again
fernando

Flavio · 8th April 2007, 06:37 PM

Hello Fernando, at least number 132 of "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" has oper work on the scabbard. Note also the particular on number 133 scabbard identical to yours.

fernando · 8th April 2007, 07:41 PM

Thanks a lot for opening my eyes, Flavio.
My CD images were copied into a small format in my computer files. Now i can see the open work, the identical decoration details and even those arch loops ... i don't know how to call them better. No doubt these pieces are familiar to mine, the origin definitely being the same.
I see that you picked the origin Adamaua-Mandara from a different book, the one of picture number 40, right. Which is this book?
Again many thanks.
BTW Do you think this piece could be as old as 19th century ?

Flavio · 8th April 2007, 10:45 PM

Hi Fernando the book is Afrikanische Waffen (Fischer - Zirngibl). About the age: the decoration on the scabbard seems nice done even if the brass seems quite thin around the open work. More the different hilt could simply a variation or a more recent work. The pieces for references were collected all in the early 900 so yours could be around 1950, but it's just a guess

7th April 2007, 10:09 PM	#1
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Fernando, seems some kind of variation of the Adamaua - Mandara daggers (North Cameroon). Attached Images

8th April 2007, 06:37 PM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Fernando, at least number 132 of "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" has oper work on the scabbard. Note also the particular on number 133 scabbard identical to yours. Attached Images

8th April 2007, 07:41 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks a lot for opening my eyes, Flavio. My CD images were copied into a small format in my computer files. Now i can see the open work, the identical decoration details and even those arch loops ... i don't know how to call them better. No doubt these pieces are familiar to mine, the origin definitely being the same. I see that you picked the origin Adamaua-Mandara from a different book, the one of picture number 40, right. Which is this book? Again many thanks. BTW Do you think this piece could be as old as 19th century ? Attached Images Last edited by fernando; 8th April 2007 at 07:59 PM.

7th April 2007, 11:11 PM	#2
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks a lot Flavio. Quite close. I will try and check further into that.

8th April 2007, 12:30 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Fernando, I'm no expert but the hilt design (not including the pommel) and blade shape seem to have Taureg inflences. Nice old piece

8th April 2007, 05:17 PM	#4
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thanks David, I was actually tending to beleive Flavio's sugestion was about right, specially because of those scabbard rounded tips. I just can't see in the pictures if those scabbards are perforated, which would better define the similarity with my piece. I also have "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" in a CD, but i can't see any better. My idea is that the "window" in the scabbard is vital detail for identification, as also the blade marks. I wonder which is the scabbard face side, and if that button is really a frog holder. This way the window would be in the back side, against the body. However with that brass arch loop, would be uncomfortable, whatever purpose it would be for. I wonder if Tim Simons has something like this in his collection ... or anybody else, anyway. I would love to know a few things about this item. Could all the details be just fantasy or functional parts. I will keep looking, until further news come in. Thanks again fernando

8th April 2007, 10:45 PM	#7
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Fernando the book is Afrikanische Waffen (Fischer - Zirngibl). About the age: the decoration on the scabbard seems nice done even if the brass seems quite thin around the open work. More the different hilt could simply a variation or a more recent work. The pieces for references were collected all in the early 900 so yours could be around 1950, but it's just a guess