Help with knife & sword ID, please

DaveF · 18th June 2026, 10:35 PM

I was sent this photo of a knife and sword acquired by a friend at a brocante in France. He'd cleaned the sword, but not the knife. They were labelled African, which would be my guess as well.
Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated.

DaveF · 18th June 2026, 11:31 PM

I'm checking with my friend whether or not the sword is laminated, as the photo suggests. South East Asia?

Tim Simmons · 19th June 2026, 02:01 PM

I had one and I am pretty sure they are North African . Bring backs North African ww2 so a vast area.

DaveF · 20th June 2026, 01:17 PM

Thanks Tim. As you say, "North Africa" covers a big area.

This thread's had over a thousand views already, but only one comment. I suppose that could mean that the blades are vanishingly rare or that they're too mundane to comment on.

The sword blade is laminated, apparently.

colin henshaw · 20th June 2026, 01:58 PM

I've never seen hilts like these before (maybe inspired by European hilts ?) North Africa somewhere seems most likely looking at the sheaths...are they made of leather ?

Interesting...

DaveF · Yesterday, 03:31 PM

I've not seen hilts like these either, Colin, and neither has Google, it seems.

I've heard back from my friend and he confirms that the scabbards are leather, stretched/shrunk over some sort of cane. The hilts look like they've been well handled and both blades are, quite crudely, laminated. The weight in the hilt makes the sword feel balanced in the hand. My friend thought maybe West African, as a guess.

It's starting to look like they will remain something of an enigma.

gp · Yesterday, 07:17 PM

what are the sizes, measurements actually ?

RobT · Today, 02:18 AM

Hi All,

GP asked the question I was wondering about. Most especially about the sword. When sheathed, would it be long enough to function as a sword cane? The hilt certainly seems to be suitably configured for that use and the sheath throat looks very much like the one on an African sword cane I have.

Sincerely,
RobT

18th June 2026, 10:35 PM	#1
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 56	Help with knife & sword ID, please I was sent this photo of a knife and sword acquired by a friend at a brocante in France. He'd cleaned the sword, but not the knife. They were labelled African, which would be my guess as well. Any advice or suggestions would be appreciated. Attached Images

Today, 02:18 AM	#8
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 646	Size Matters Hi All, GP asked the question I was wondering about. Most especially about the sword. When sheathed, would it be long enough to function as a sword cane? The hilt certainly seems to be suitably configured for that use and the sheath throat looks very much like the one on an African sword cane I have. Sincerely, RobT

18th June 2026, 11:31 PM	#2
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 56	I'm checking with my friend whether or not the sword is laminated, as the photo suggests. South East Asia?

19th June 2026, 02:01 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 6,000	I had one and I am pretty sure they are North African . Bring backs North African ww2 so a vast area.

20th June 2026, 01:17 PM	#4
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 56	Thanks Tim. As you say, "North Africa" covers a big area. This thread's had over a thousand views already, but only one comment. I suppose that could mean that the blades are vanishingly rare or that they're too mundane to comment on. The sword blade is laminated, apparently.

20th June 2026, 01:58 PM	#5
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,432	I've never seen hilts like these before (maybe inspired by European hilts ?) North Africa somewhere seems most likely looking at the sheaths...are they made of leather ? Interesting...

Yesterday, 03:31 PM	#6
DaveF Member Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Lancashire, England Posts: 56	I've not seen hilts like these either, Colin, and neither has Google, it seems. I've heard back from my friend and he confirms that the scabbards are leather, stretched/shrunk over some sort of cane. The hilts look like they've been well handled and both blades are, quite crudely, laminated. The weight in the hilt makes the sword feel balanced in the hand. My friend thought maybe West African, as a guess. It's starting to look like they will remain something of an enigma.

Yesterday, 07:17 PM	#7
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 1,028	what are the sizes, measurements actually ?