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Originally Posted by stephen wood
...I took the sword in to show some of my students - a man from Guinea whose first language is Bambara had seen the type before and he called it a sabre (French pronunciation) and said that they are worn on a sling over the arm, that is, like a kaskara. This is consistent with the fact that it is a very good fit in the scabbard so doesn't mind being upside-down and the fact that you can see the marks where rings or loops were attached. They are said to be ceremonial - this one is not sharpened - and are used as wall-hangers.
I imagine it may originally have been decorated as per curved Manding swords - there appears to be a very worn maker's mark - maybe a knight's head (Kirschbaum?) - but this might be a patch of wear in the place where we would expect to find one - after a little cleaning I will post an image... 
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That is excellent Stephen!! and it is exciting to hear of the interaction with students from these fascinating regions viewing a weapon from those very regions!
It is also especially interesting to hear from someone from Guinea, and his perspective. I once had a very good friend who was of Fulani tribe and lived in Guinea. He too recognized the Manding swords of the curved sabre form and termed them something like 'kota' or similar word in his language (though he of course also spoke French). These swords were invariably mounted with French sabre blades, so it would make sense that the term 'sabre' would become collectively used in reference to 'sword'.
This is a prevalent situation for example with the Arabian sa'if, which means sword, and is seen applied to any number of swords from Moroccan 'nimchas' to Sudanese 'kaskaras'.
The swords described by your student as being worn on the arm, if I understand correctly, may actually be a straight blade sword much like this, and from Mandara and associated tribes in Cameroon near the Nigerian border. While they are similar in having no guard, and a simple hilt with a type of peaked pommel, they may well have been known in Guinea, and as noted, strikingly similar to this West African sword with apparant Manding mounts.
If your student is suggesting these Manding swords were worn on the arm in the manner of these Cameroon Mandara swords I would say that though the appearance is similar, these Manding swords were not worn on the arm to my knowledge.
Although the Mandara blades worn on the arm are of considerable length, they are not nearly as long as this 'kaskara' blade would be at full length (usually about 33-36").
The kaskara of the Sudan is often worn in a scabbard over the warriors back, or slung tightly under the arm, but never on the arm. Thus perhaps by 'in a sling over the arm' your student refers to the tight underarm sling, not the armband mount....would that be correct?
I think it is great that you are bringing weapons into study, as I think they are incredibly important icons of culture, tradition and history that should be considered for the subtle artistic symbolism and features they carry rather than the grim, violent connotation often suggested. Most ethnographic weapons have become elements of traditional dress and accoutrement in modern times, and this perspective should take precedence.
All best regards,
Jim