Unknown dagger for ID and comment

[Araña_del_Sol]

Hi all,

This dagger (below) has defied my attempts to identify it. I suspect that it is African in origin but that is just a hunch, the blocky hilt with its rectangular cross-section is particularly unfamiliar to me. If anyone has insights on what it is or where it might be from, that would be greatly appreciated.

Overall length: 34.4 cm (~13.5 in.)

- ADS

[mariusgmioc]

I do not think this is an ethnographic dagger. It looks more like a "trench" knife with a blade made of sheet steel.

[Sajen]

I also don't think it's ethnographic, the blade maybe but the hilt looks very recent home made!?:)

[Araña_del_Sol]

Thank you both! That makes sense now why I could not find anything else that looks like it.

- ADS

[Sajen]

Maybe it's one of the "great" restorations you can see on YouTube! :D:D;)

[Klop]

the blade appears to be asymmetrical along the edge like some Congo knives, when you flip it over looks the same again? crossection like drawn in black? maybe a somewhat older blade rehilted recently.

Kind regards,
Eric.

[Sajen]

the blade appears to be asymmetrical along the edge like some Congo knives, when you flip it over looks the same again? crossection like drawn in black? maybe a somewhat older blade rehilted recently.

Hello Eric,

Look to #3, I also think that it's an African blade.

Regards,
Detlef

[Klop]

Hi Detlef, yes I did see your earlier post, we concur so it must be the truth:D

But seriously, attached an example with similar features which triggered my thoughts.

kind regards,
Eric

[Sajen]

Hello Eric,

I think it's pointless to worry about where this blade came from! Without a handle and scabbard, it will be very difficult to assign the blade. And it's not a very special blade which would be worth giving it a "new" handle.

Regards,
Detlef

[Yvain]

Not saying that's the case here, but this type of hilt isn't unheard of in Africa : https://www.africanarms.com/images/bagallery/original/dagger-fron-Sangha-river-39-cm.jpg