Cameroon? Gabon? Congo?

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2009, 08:13 PM

Danny, Freddy and Luc.

What do you make of this?

I might be thinking Cameroon. Why do things always turn up when you cannot afford them? An antique furniture dealer friend found this for me. 50cm in total, blade 33cm. It has never been sharp, a status piece. I have worked hard to remove rather a lot of rust and have run out of light for a good picture, will do that tomorrow. There is an iron ring around the top of the handle at the forte of the blade. Not cheap sadly but I think it is a little bit nice and possibly rather rare.

colin henshaw · 10th February 2009, 08:21 PM

Nice piece - looks like Konda tribe (Congo)...

Regards

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2009, 08:37 PM

Hello Colin, that was my first thoughts but I am not so sure about that any more. I have seen Camaroon knives with the double pommel thing. I have a book that illustrates Songye knives with a bugling tips but no side projections also displaying extended pommels so I am open to all suggestions.

According to Tristan Arbousse Bastide in "Armes Traditionnelles d'Afique" these knives with bulging tips or Songye, Tetela, Kusu?

Lew · 10th February 2009, 10:23 PM

Nice find Tim

Robert · 11th February 2009, 12:49 AM

Hi Tim, Another great addition to your collection. I absolutely love the workmanship on the grip on this piece. Don't know where it's from but I do know that I really like it.

Robert

Gonzalo G · 11th February 2009, 08:10 AM

The blade is also interesting and more time consuming than the craft of the handle.

10th February 2009, 08:13 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,747	Cameroon? Gabon? Congo? Danny, Freddy and Luc. What do you make of this? I might be thinking Cameroon. Why do things always turn up when you cannot afford them? An antique furniture dealer friend found this for me. 50cm in total, blade 33cm. It has never been sharp, a status piece. I have worked hard to remove rather a lot of rust and have run out of light for a good picture, will do that tomorrow. There is an iron ring around the top of the handle at the forte of the blade. Not cheap sadly but I think it is a little bit nice and possibly rather rare. Attached Images

10th February 2009, 08:37 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,747	Hello Colin, that was my first thoughts but I am not so sure about that any more. I have seen Camaroon knives with the double pommel thing. I have a book that illustrates Songye knives with a bugling tips but no side projections also displaying extended pommels so I am open to all suggestions. According to Tristan Arbousse Bastide in "Armes Traditionnelles d'Afique" these knives with bulging tips or Songye, Tetela, Kusu? Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th February 2009 at 08:51 PM.

10th February 2009, 08:21 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Nice piece - looks like Konda tribe (Congo)... Regards

10th February 2009, 10:23 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice find Tim

11th February 2009, 12:49 AM	#5
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Hi Tim, Another great addition to your collection. I absolutely love the workmanship on the grip on this piece. Don't know where it's from but I do know that I really like it. Robert

11th February 2009, 08:10 AM	#6
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	The blade is also interesting and more time consuming than the craft of the handle.