East African safari

[Tim Simmons]

This is my latest purchase. I am getting very interested in the knife/swords from the areas between the Seme and the classic Shona knife, all be it a collector defined term. A chum has a very nice one with some differences, a fine polished handle, hairless scabbard, the blade is the same overall shape but with a light midrib and I think I recall the blade being all black. I rather fancied it but the trade at the time was a little too strong but I may have another crack at it. Anyway look at these pictures the blade is just under 15inches or 38.5cm the handle is 4 1/2 inches or 12.5cm. The handle appealed the most. The scabbard is made of two very thin sheets of wood covered in Cow hide? the loops are made from vegetal fibers. Compere the outward flare at the forte to the large Rwandan/Tutsi sword. I am certain that there is a variation of design that can almost be followed like foot steps.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW011.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW012.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW003-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW001-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NS020-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW004-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW005-1.jpg

[Tim Simmons]

Last pictures. looks to me like native smelted metal. The pitting is not indentations from forging on a rough surface or corrosion?
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW006-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW008-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/NEW010.jpg

[Gavin Nugent]

That is a nice looking blade you have there. My first thoughts are that it is styled after the Roman Gladius which is certainly possible with the Roman's being in Africa in centuries past. Historically, maybe a remnant of an age old Roman legacy that has been handed down from knife maker to knife maker?

regards

Gavin

[Freddy]

Tim, in my opinion this piece is not East African. I think it comes from Cameroon. I've seen sheaths made out of similar material. Just can't remember where :shrug:

[Tim Simmons]

I can go with that too Freddy. There are aspects of the handle that did seem West African right from the first sight of the item. The fuller is often seen in the regions of the Nigerian/Cameroon border possibly more Nigerian influence? Saying that I am interested in the flared sides of the blade at the forte, any ideas?

[Tim Simmons]

Freddy, it appears you are quite correct.

http://www.mambele.be/knife_detail.php?tribe=&region=Cameroon&name=&jczn=symmetrical&met=s&number=0538&rowno=1

this is the picture the link should show