Asian or African ?

[Ian]

Another large knife/short sword that I have had for many years. I acquired it via eBay in early 2000. Both the blade and hilt are very dark, which makes photography tricky. The blade is of a flattened diamond cross-section and has six facets. it is thick at the hilt and then flattens and widens progressively to the tip, although still maintaining a fairly thick cross-section at the tip. Both edges are sharp. The hilt is circular in cross-section and shaped as shown in the pictures; there is a bolster integral with the blade.

I have gone back and forth over the years as to whether this is African or Asian in origin. There are features of the flattened blade and circular hilt that seem African, but the thickness of the blade just in front of the hilt (about 14 mm) and the presence of a bolster seems out of place on an African sword and more reminiscent of blades from the tribal groups of NE India (e.g., Aka).

Ideas are very welcome.

Ian.

[kahnjar1]

Hi Ian,
Just a guess really but I would say African. The handle does not look Asian and the blade looks very "heavy" for Asian blades.
Stu

[Battara]

A thought, could this be South American, say, Amazonian?

[colin henshaw]

Its African, from the Cameroons area. Here's a picture of another similar.

[Battara]

Ah....mystery solved! :)

[Ian]

Colin:

EXCELLENT--clear identification at last. Thank you for posting another example. Much appreciated.

Ian.