Thanks Tim, I had started to think, it could be an old Naval cutlass. With the slave trade on the West Coast, the European Slave/Trade ships, and the recuitment of local tribes to capture 'fresh stock' or for cheap labour.. It does seem possible that a European blade could have been easily obtained and 'Africanised'. Obviously, if the blade could be dated, it could help to prove/disprove this theory. The scabbard apparently is canvas backed, possibly another connection to the sea/tall ships. Have you encountered similar styled scabbards from other regions? Or do you think the design is definitve to an area, region or Tribe?
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