Salampaso short sword

Matt Splatt · 14th November 2007, 10:10 PM

Hi all, I just got this and I am quite happy with it. It looks pretty old and it definitely has seen a lot of use. The scabbard is pretty complete, just missing a couple of leather and copper bits. The craftsmanship displayed on the scabbard is impressive, the plaiting on the central ridge is the finest I've ever encountered. I know these were used in the male initiation rites of the Salampasu but were they fighting weapons? The blade is very heavy and it seems like an effective close-quarters hacking weapon. I would welcome any thoughts and or comments.

Lew · 15th November 2007, 06:18 PM

Matt

That is a good example you have there too bad the scabbard is missing a piece at the bottom. Still you did good.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 15th November 2007, 06:45 PM

Needs a jolly good clean but leave the iron scale in the centre of the blade from the forte upwards. Nice scabbard.

Freddy · 16th November 2007, 08:56 AM

Nice old piece.

Here's the front cover of the book 'Dodelijk mooi' (Deadly beauty). This is the way the natives used to wear this kind of sword.

I don't think it was only used for ceremonies as these are real weapons.

Bill M · 16th November 2007, 10:28 AM

Were these ever used as tools?

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 07:54 PM

I once had a Salampasu sword which had a piece of cloth tied round the base of the blade (near the handle). It was very dirty and when I pulled it, it desintegrated. At the time, I wondered what it was.

Later I found some pics in a German book on African weapons. Both Salampasu swords had cloth tied to the blade.

I should have left my sword untouched, but I didn't know

Here's a pic from that book :

Matt Splatt · 17th November 2007, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Freddy, I really need to get a copy of that book! Bill, the blade is definetly stout enough to serve as a tool. From the wear on mine, I would guess that it was used to clear brush at a minimum. in fact, the heavy wear is only apparent on one side. May be this was done on purpose to preserve a sharp edge if the knife had to be used for defense.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 17th November 2007, 08:51 PM

I have a Pende sword with a piece of textile between blade and handle.
Luc

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 09:26 PM

The picture came from this book :

AFRIKANISCHE WAFFEN (African weapons) by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978)

There's also a second book by one of these authors :

SELTENE AFRIKANISCHE KURZWAFFEN (rare short african short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983)

Both books are written in the German and English language with a lot of pics.

Sometimes they pop up on ebay, but then they are very expensive.

I don't know why, I just bought them from the publisher

Here's the link :

https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 09:28 PM

I see the link doesn't work

Just type 'Zirngibl' in the search engine (Schnellsuche) and you will find the books

Matt Splatt · 18th November 2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks again Freddy, I've ordered both books and should have them by Christmas!

KuKulzA28 · 31st March 2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Were these ever used as tools?

I'd like to resurrect Bill Marsh's question as it interests me greatly as well.

My guess would be yes. A lot of cultures in that sort of setting used their swords for ceremony, war, and work... such as PingPu knives, kachin dao, mandau parangs, Visayan bolos... but I'll let the experts speak.

KuKulzA28 · 3rd April 2009, 09:21 PM

[bump]

14th November 2007, 10:10 PM	#1
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 31	Salampasu short sword Hi all, I just got this and I am quite happy with it. It looks pretty old and it definitely has seen a lot of use. The scabbard is pretty complete, just missing a couple of leather and copper bits. The craftsmanship displayed on the scabbard is impressive, the plaiting on the central ridge is the finest I've ever encountered. I know these were used in the male initiation rites of the Salampasu but were they fighting weapons? The blade is very heavy and it seems like an effective close-quarters hacking weapon. I would welcome any thoughts and or comments. Attached Images Last edited by Matt Splatt; 15th November 2007 at 12:41 AM.

17th November 2007, 08:51 PM	#8
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Pende sword I have a Pende sword with a piece of textile between blade and handle. Luc Attached Images

17th November 2007, 09:28 PM	#10
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	oops I see the link doesn't work Just type 'Zirngibl' in the search engine (Schnellsuche) and you will find the books

15th November 2007, 06:18 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Matt That is a good example you have there too bad the scabbard is missing a piece at the bottom. Still you did good. Lew

15th November 2007, 06:45 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Needs a jolly good clean but leave the iron scale in the centre of the blade from the forte upwards. Nice scabbard.

16th November 2007, 08:56 AM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice old piece. Here's the front cover of the book 'Dodelijk mooi' (Deadly beauty). This is the way the natives used to wear this kind of sword. I don't think it was only used for ceremonies as these are real weapons.

16th November 2007, 10:28 AM	#5
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Were these ever used as tools?

17th November 2007, 07:54 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I once had a Salampasu sword which had a piece of cloth tied round the base of the blade (near the handle). It was very dirty and when I pulled it, it desintegrated. At the time, I wondered what it was. Later I found some pics in a German book on African weapons. Both Salampasu swords had cloth tied to the blade. I should have left my sword untouched, but I didn't know Here's a pic from that book :

17th November 2007, 08:49 PM	#7
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 31	Thanks for the input guys. Freddy, I really need to get a copy of that book! Bill, the blade is definetly stout enough to serve as a tool. From the wear on mine, I would guess that it was used to clear brush at a minimum. in fact, the heavy wear is only apparent on one side. May be this was done on purpose to preserve a sharp edge if the knife had to be used for defense.

17th November 2007, 09:26 PM	#9
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The picture came from this book : AFRIKANISCHE WAFFEN (African weapons) by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978) There's also a second book by one of these authors : SELTENE AFRIKANISCHE KURZWAFFEN (rare short african short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983) Both books are written in the German and English language with a lot of pics. Sometimes they pop up on ebay, but then they are very expensive. I don't know why, I just bought them from the publisher Here's the link : https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

18th November 2007, 05:19 PM	#11
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 31	Thanks again Freddy, I've ordered both books and should have them by Christmas!

3rd April 2009, 09:21 PM	#13
KuKulzA28 Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: between work and sleep Posts: 731	[bump]