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Freddy
29th March 2007, 10:30 AM
Here are some of the smallest pieces in my collection. Even though they are small, I still like these knives. They are probably simple functional pieces. Their origin lies in Congo, but that's all I know.

Great thing about them : they don't take a lot of space ;) . And that is important in any collection, no ? :p

The first three are the smallest.

From left to right : 23 cm, 14,5 cm and 14 cm.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/smallknives-1.jpg


This fourth dagger is peculiar. I have never seen one with a similar handle. The handle is wood with some copper wire as ferule. On one side a copper nail with a small circular metal 'plaque' (?) has been added. Total length is 27,5 cm.
I have no idea where this one comes from. Anyone else has an idea ?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Unknown4-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Unknown4-detail.jpg
katana
29th March 2007, 03:36 PM
Hi Freddy,
can't help with ID but I like the largest dagger....seems to have a well forged blade :) The blade shape is similar to a African short sword I have... which could be from the Benin area :shrug:

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3318&highlight=gladius

David
Tim Simmons
29th March 2007, 08:55 PM
The knives in the first picture could be Mangbetu? :shrug: and maybe the second picture. I like the hole in the blade, interesting surface, rather nice.
Freddy
1st April 2007, 05:53 PM
You could be right, Tim, when saying these three daggers are Mangbetu. Especially the smallest one has a handle similar to the ones found on Mangbetu daggers.

As to the other dagger : I'm still looking.

Here's a picture (hope it gives enough detail) of the texture of the knife blade. It reminds me a bit of the texture on some kerises. :confused:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v158/keris_hanuman/Unknown4-detail2-1.jpg
Flavio
1st April 2007, 06:03 PM
Hello Freddy, the three seem to be mangbetu even if quite rude. The other to me remember some ngbandi blade even if the handle is something never seen. Anyway nice pieces :)
Tim Simmons
11th April 2007, 05:49 PM
Look at these. I think your knives are Mangbetu, Zande ect, bordering the Soudan?
http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1934.8.122/
http://southernsudan.prm.ox.ac.uk/details/1930.86.12/