Manding dagger made from a British bayonet

[thinreadline]

Feeling very pleased with myself , having picked up this Manding dagger made from a British Pattern 1888 bayonet blade . The maker Sanderson is visible on the ricasso as is the cypher of King Edward VII.

[Tim Simmons]

Looks like the queens crown to me.

[CharlesS]

Awesome example! Just a case of nothing being wasted in the right hands!

[thinreadline]

Looks like the queens crown to me.

its her son Edward VII 1901-1910 ... you can see crown over 'ER' . Some of these bayonets do have a Victorian crown over VR of course but as they were made from 1888- 1904 some have the Edwardian cypher.

[thinreadline]

Awesome example! Just a case of nothing being wasted in the right hands!

absolutely right !

[Tim Simmons]

I mean Elizabeth.

[Kubur]

Very nice
May be of some interest
a Mandingo knife cut in a 19th c. Spanish blade REY...

[thinreadline]

I mean Elizabeth.

ha ha ... no , its a typical Kings crown as used by all the kings of Britain in the 20th C . You can also see the issue date of 1902 on the ricasso and of course the unmistakable profile of the 1888 Pattern bayonet as used on the Lee Metford and Long Lee Enfield rifles.

[thinreadline]

Kubur that is a fabulous knife you show there.

[Jim McDougall]

I totally agree...Kubur…..that is one of the most attractive knives I have seen from these regions!!! I am usually a sword guy, but that is awesome.
TRL , this really illustrates the long standing tradition of recycling, repurposing everything in these desert contexts, and bayonet blades have long been a source for knife blades.
The leather work of the Manding is also impressive, and its great demand throughout these areas understandable. I often wonder if various forms of edged weapon from neighboring regions were refurbished with Manding work, and the classification clouded by their unmistakable style.