Indian loop handle knife??

[Andy Davis]

Hello all
Is there a correct name for one of these?
I've been through Stone and Egerton and there doesnt seem to be one. There are similar ideas with the Bichwa daggers but they seem to usually have a curved blade.
Also any ideas on age? I had thought may be modern until I removed the varnish from the blade, which seems to be old steel and the red paint seems to be a modern addition hiding chissled engraving of rather fine grade.
Any ideas much appreciated.
Cheers
Andy

[Oriental-Arms]

This is a loop dagger of the TIV people from Nigeria. Probably early 20 C. For similar ones see: Dagger of the TIV people I (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=881) and another one: Dagger of the TIV people II (http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=879)

[KuKulzA28]

I wonder, did the Nigerians invent their own bichwa independently?
I wouldn't doubt it, some parts of Africa have highly underrated metal-working.

[Lew]

Two more for comparison. These daggers are archers daggers and are held in the draw hand blade point down.

Lew

[KuKulzA28]

Interesting point! Archers' daggers...

Contrary to popular fantasy, most people were armed with more mundane weapons - simple spears, shields, smaller swords, and missile weapons. I've read somewhere that many African armies in that region used mostly archers with poisoned arrows. The chance of an archer needing to fight close-in was probably rarer than say a warrior armed with a club, sword, or spear - but if caught close-in had to be able to deploy his close-range weapon quickly... thus the loop dagger, very cool. :D

Was this loop-dagger style unique to that region or did this innovation find appeal in other parts of Africa?