Unknown African sword

Pieje · 2nd June 2013, 11:25 AM

I don't recognize this sword, 48 cm in length.
Nicely weaven handle in leather.
A little design on the blade thay someone perhaps may recognize.
Thanks.

Tim Simmons · 2nd June 2013, 06:46 PM

Nice looking piece. I would think it is from the Border regions of Nigeria / Cameroon, perhaps the Mandara area. There should be info in search. There are two Czech members that are very knowledgeable with regards to these types of sword weapons.

Martin Lubojacky · 3rd June 2013, 11:18 PM

Hi Pieje and Tim,

Nice sword of "Tebbu style" (handle) - quotation marks since I have strange feeling the longer time I am cocncerned with this kind of weapon the less I know about it. There are so many variations. I saw very long and heavy sword (1 meter blade with distinctive central rib) in museum in Khartoum, similar were used on Cameroon/Nigerian borderland (together with another styles), variations throughout Chad, old photo with such kind even from Morocco, I have two old and very heavy from Kano....... Generally central Sahel I would say and concretely this one - I would incline to Chad (?).
Regards,
Martin

Iain · 4th June 2013, 10:47 AM

I would agree with Martin, who's got far more hands on experience with weaponry from these regions than I do.

THe rounded tips seem to be common in the Cameroon border areas, while the more strictly Tebu pieces seem to often be more pointed?

A nice piece in any case.

Pieje · 4th June 2013, 12:10 PM

Thank you all for this info!
I have a friend that independently suggested Cameroun as possible source of the sword by the weaven handle in leather for instance.
Any idea of the age of the sword?

Saw this on the net, almost identical handle...
http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...ins-long-sword

Also here is a quite similar handle:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5864

Iain · 4th June 2013, 12:54 PM

The sword you linked is mine actually (and the website)

.

For age, it is hard to judge precisely I think, but from the relatively good condition of the leather and very clean blade I would guess mid 20th century or later. On the other side it could just be very well cleaned and preserved and early 20th century.

Pieje · 4th June 2013, 01:00 PM

Yes I have cleaned it with a nylon brush, it's a nicely forged blade, a small design on it, my guess would be first half of 20th century.

2nd June 2013, 11:25 AM	#1
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Unknown African sword I don't recognize this sword, 48 cm in length. Nicely weaven handle in leather. A little design on the blade thay someone perhaps may recognize. Thanks. Attached Images

4th June 2013, 12:10 PM	#5
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thank you all for this info! I have a friend that independently suggested Cameroun as possible source of the sword by the weaven handle in leather for instance. Any idea of the age of the sword? Saw this on the net, almost identical handle... http://takouba.org/catalog/index.php...ins-long-sword Also here is a quite similar handle: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=5864 Last edited by Pieje; 4th June 2013 at 12:53 PM.

2nd June 2013, 06:46 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,745	Nice looking piece. I would think it is from the Border regions of Nigeria / Cameroon, perhaps the Mandara area. There should be info in search. There are two Czech members that are very knowledgeable with regards to these types of sword weapons.

3rd June 2013, 11:18 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Hi Pieje and Tim, Nice sword of "Tebbu style" (handle) - quotation marks since I have strange feeling the longer time I am cocncerned with this kind of weapon the less I know about it. There are so many variations. I saw very long and heavy sword (1 meter blade with distinctive central rib) in museum in Khartoum, similar were used on Cameroon/Nigerian borderland (together with another styles), variations throughout Chad, old photo with such kind even from Morocco, I have two old and very heavy from Kano....... Generally central Sahel I would say and concretely this one - I would incline to Chad (?). Regards, Martin

4th June 2013, 10:47 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,682	I would agree with Martin, who's got far more hands on experience with weaponry from these regions than I do. THe rounded tips seem to be common in the Cameroon border areas, while the more strictly Tebu pieces seem to often be more pointed? A nice piece in any case.

4th June 2013, 12:54 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,682	The sword you linked is mine actually (and the website) . For age, it is hard to judge precisely I think, but from the relatively good condition of the leather and very clean blade I would guess mid 20th century or later. On the other side it could just be very well cleaned and preserved and early 20th century.

4th June 2013, 01:00 PM	#7
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Yes I have cleaned it with a nylon brush, it's a nicely forged blade, a small design on it, my guess would be first half of 20th century.