Central African sickle knife/Ngombe Bero.

Tim Simmons · 27th January 2006, 06:36 PM

My first piece this year a so called Bero. I have started a new thread with it as I know Freddy has a few sickle knives he might show us and elaborate on the subject. This is no parade or currency piece. The back on this knife is over 4mm thick. The blade has a keen edge all round except on the back which has very nice facets beaten into the metal. From tip to end in a line, it measures 61cm, the beak 24.5cm. 35 on the fish and chips scale 5.5 more than I wanted to pay but still I think excellent for ebay. I also post a picture of a campaign medal which shows that some of these things were obviously not given up lightly. Information on campaigns in southern Africa and India or Afghanistan are easy to find not so with central Africa. I wonder why? Tim

Tim Simmons · 28th January 2006, 09:26 PM

Loop on the pommel for a lanyard. I like the wear on the leather or hide under the metal wires where the warriors finger has been gripping. Tim

Freddy · 31st January 2006, 09:29 PM

You're right a real weapon, not only for show.

Here's a picture of a Ngombe warrior with sickle knife and shield

A sickle knife from my collection. It still has a leather strap attached to the handle. Length : 81 cm ! The handle only measures 9 cm. The blade is completely engraved on one side. The other side is almost plain. There's only a small engraving where near the small moon shaped extension.

Look at the very nice engraving.

Still a very functional piece. The blade is sharp on both sides and on its full length.

Now it's up to you again, Tim

Tim Simmons · 31st January 2006, 09:36 PM

If only I had more

, I thought I was very lucky to get the one I now have

, now I need one of those sabre type

. I was sure you had more of the type I have. Tim

Flavio · 1st February 2006, 01:58 AM

Hello Tim, hello Freddy. Very nice pieces, i want to show mine: a ngbaka throwing knife with some strange iron near the handle (it's more usual for this knives leather), a bandja sickle knife and i have also a mongelima sickle sword that is identical to the one of Freddy. So who is the next one?

Luc LEFEBVRE · 10th February 2006, 09:46 PM

You're right the bero are battle swords.It is probable also that these knives were occasionnaly thrown.
3 bero from my collection:
The first is rare with the spur just below the handle, and old XIXeme, the others beginning of the XXeme.
Nzombo, Lobala, Ngbaka, Ngbandi, Ngombe. From CONGO between Congo and Ubangi river.

Luc

27th January 2006, 06:36 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Central African sickle knife/Ngombe Bero. My first piece this year a so called Bero. I have started a new thread with it as I know Freddy has a few sickle knives he might show us and elaborate on the subject. This is no parade or currency piece. The back on this knife is over 4mm thick. The blade has a keen edge all round except on the back which has very nice facets beaten into the metal. From tip to end in a line, it measures 61cm, the beak 24.5cm. 35 on the fish and chips scale 5.5 more than I wanted to pay but still I think excellent for ebay. I also post a picture of a campaign medal which shows that some of these things were obviously not given up lightly. Information on campaigns in southern Africa and India or Afghanistan are easy to find not so with central Africa. I wonder why? Tim Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 27th January 2006 at 07:14 PM.

28th January 2006, 09:26 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	some more detail Loop on the pommel for a lanyard. I like the wear on the leather or hide under the metal wires where the warriors finger has been gripping. Tim Attached Images

1st February 2006, 01:58 AM	#5
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Tim, hello Freddy. Very nice pieces, i want to show mine: a ngbaka throwing knife with some strange iron near the handle (it's more usual for this knives leather), a bandja sickle knife and i have also a mongelima sickle sword that is identical to the one of Freddy. So who is the next one? Attached Images

10th February 2006, 09:46 PM	#6
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Ngombe bero You're right the bero are battle swords.It is probable also that these knives were occasionnaly thrown. 3 bero from my collection: The first is rare with the spur just below the handle, and old XIXeme, the others beginning of the XXeme. Nzombo, Lobala, Ngbaka, Ngbandi, Ngombe. From CONGO between Congo and Ubangi river. Luc

31st January 2006, 09:29 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You're right a real weapon, not only for show. Here's a picture of a Ngombe warrior with sickle knife and shield A sickle knife from my collection. It still has a leather strap attached to the handle. Length : 81 cm ! The handle only measures 9 cm. The blade is completely engraved on one side. The other side is almost plain. There's only a small engraving where near the small moon shaped extension. Look at the very nice engraving. Still a very functional piece. The blade is sharp on both sides and on its full length. Now it's up to you again, Tim

31st January 2006, 09:36 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	If only I had more , I thought I was very lucky to get the one I now have , now I need one of those sabre type . I was sure you had more of the type I have. Tim