UNUSUAL AFRICAN SWORD

[VANDOO]

I RECENTLY BID BUT LOST THIS UNUSUAL SWORD. IS THIS A REAL FORM OR SOMETHING MADE UP? THE CLOSEST I HAVE SEEN IS SOME OF THE ONES REFERED TO AS NAGALA EXECUTIONERS SWORD.
I PERSONALLY REFER TO THIS AS THE CRAB PINCHER SWORD USED IN THE RARE AFRICAN MARTIAL ART OF PINCH YA KABOING! :p ITS 21.5INCHES LONG.
THE WEAPON OF CHOICE OF MOTHER IN LAWS YOU REALLY HAVE TO WATCH OUT FOR YOUR KABOING AROUND THIS ONE. :D

[Pieje]

I also saw that sword on ebay, but I didn't bid as I've never seen such type of sword in the literature.

[Tim Simmons]

I had noticed this too. Looks real to me. I am not into blades these days unless they are truly unusual or handed to me on a plate ;) .

[Sajen]

I was one of the low bidders and I am nearly sure that it is original and old but this I only think by the shown pictures and of course I have to say that I know nearly nothing about african weapons. But when I look to the price it reached I think that I was not the only one who thin like this! :D ;)

[Mauro]

I also noted this sword but I did not enter the auction. In my opinion is a good old Konda-Kundu knife-sword. The handle is peculiar of this tribal group and Gosseau (1997) report an executioner knife with very irregular margins that have some similarities with this one. It is an interesting and rare piece and this is the reason of the high price it reached during the auction.

[colin henshaw]

Hi Vandoo

I also noticed this one. To be frank I was a bit doubtful and felt it could be a fairly recent production ??...

Regards.

[Mauro]

Some of these knives looks not very well made may be because some people says that were made for tourists at the beginning of last century. This one in particular has an hand made handle and an hammered blade. It has also a series of decorations made of surelevated ridges. I enclose the figures reported in Gousseau (1997). The closer knives are from Konda-Kundu or Sengele-Ngombè. The handle is however quite typical of the Konda.