West African sword for I.D. & comment

colin henshaw · 5th March 2016, 10:56 AM

A fair range of ideas regarding the lack of a hand guard from forum members.
For myself, I think the common link (slave trade), with the also guardless Omani/Zanzibar swords (kattara) is telling. Certainly, once slaves were captured, a long sharp sword would be sufficient to control and intimidate, and hand guards superfluous...

Do any forumites have further comments on the intriguing metal "sandwich" at the forte area ? Just to strengthen the assemblage ? outside influences etc ?

Weapons from those West African forested, coastal areas seem fascinating, can anyone recommend suitable references ?

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5th March 2016, 10:56 AM	#18
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	A fair range of ideas regarding the lack of a hand guard from forum members. For myself, I think the common link (slave trade), with the also guardless Omani/Zanzibar swords (kattara) is telling. Certainly, once slaves were captured, a long sharp sword would be sufficient to control and intimidate, and hand guards superfluous... Do any forumites have further comments on the intriguing metal "sandwich" at the forte area ? Just to strengthen the assemblage ? outside influences etc ? Weapons from those West African forested, coastal areas seem fascinating, can anyone recommend suitable references ?