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#1 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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#2 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,242
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The blade looks like a sossoun pata / yataghan, hilt is reminiscent of the Nepali cora.
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#3 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Looks perfectly saber-ish to me, I do not see any down-curving of the blade.
African handles on military blades? |
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#4 |
Member
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Toronto, Canada
Posts: 1,242
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I missed those...looks like Manding handles. Looking at the bevels it looked like the edge was concave.
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#5 |
(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Yes these seem to be West African with European blades.
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#6 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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Most interesting tag on this item.
I am in complete accord with the African assessments. These type hilts are typical of West African type often associated with Sierra Leone, and they certainly diffused well into interior to the east with trade. They seem mid 19th century to later as a rule, but as with most native weapons, often refurbished many times as either traded or handed down. The blade is yet another example of reprofiled British M1796 light cavalry blades. These, as surplus, ended up throughout trade centers well into the 19th century, and are often seen on the so called 'Berber' sabres that are now believed from Latin American regions rather than distinctly Moroccan. All best regards, Jim |
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#7 |
Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: What is still UK
Posts: 5,780
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Could very easily be Ethiopian handles.
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#8 |
Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,896
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I think the Abyssinian or Ethiopian shotel hilts are more of a singular stylized 'H' figure, despite the fact that I believe sometimes they are composite.
While the Ethiopian suggestion seems possible joined with the fact that the British furnished that country with blades in the latter 19th century well into the 20th, I still believe these are West African hilts. These rondel placed beveled discs on these guards are typical of many I have seen from these regions. When considering the ever present diffusion of material culture, weapons, etc. in Africa via the constant flux of trade routes, nomadic cultures and tribal interaction.....of course anything is possible ![]() |
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