Jim,
Thanks for the observances!
As my lead-in story tells, it was such an odd-ball that I ignored it for a very long time, not realizing that these "orphans" can tell some amazing stories.
In time, as I saw more ethnic work, I came to realize the blade is Tuareg style. The back slab side is parallel to the upper facet opposite. The edge facet slopes down from the mid-point to the edge. There is no raised central ridge.
The hilt is very primitively made, just hand wrought and chiseled into shape. I don't think any self respecting Brit cutler could have in good conscience put out such a primitive piece!
The grip is very small, only 3.5", barely enough to squeeze my average sized hand into. The blade is a shade under 29", and about one and a quarter inches wide at the ricasso.
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