West African ? sword for I.D. and comment.

[colin henshaw]

Iain
Many thanks for your comprehensive replies to my specific points, and I apologise for the delay in reply as I have been away for a few days.

It certainly seems there is a bit of an information gap on these subjects and that it would be a fruitful area for research. I look forward to reading your completed reference work ! On an aside, I have once seen a takouba with the blade made from a European woodsaw...

Unfortunately, the sword I posted is no longer in my possession so I can't measure the blade width. Looking at the images again, it could well be that its from a larger blade reduced in size, (there is only one half moon impression to one side). Regarding the odd rust patching observed (particularly on Somali spears and swords), I had assumed this was an anomaly in the local iron ore used in smelting, but due to the lack of any references, only a guess on my part.

Jim
Thank you for your input on this thread, and as mentioned above this is an interesting, relatively untouched area with plenty of scope for research.

Regarding the possibility of trade sword blade catalogues, its fairly obvious sword blades would not be selected by tribesmen from catalogues, but it could be that factories in Europe would publish something to enable traders/wholesalers to make their purchases at the point of export ? I mention this because I have seen sample cards of trade glass beads destined for Africa, also if my memory serves me, catalogues of a sort regarding European trade muskets.

Regards.

[Mauro]

I have a similar sword in my collection with what I think is its original scabbard. These swords are similar to the Mandingo sword but to my knowledge they belong belong to the Toma people, that live close to the Mandingo. Unfortunately I received this suggestion from a friend of mine and I am not able to find a reference. Therefore this is simply a suggestion to further investigate on it. The Mandingo has a rounded handguard and a simmetric round leather protection close to the pommel that is frequently made of brass. My blade has geometric decoration at the forte made of zig zag motif and dots close to the margin that would suggest it is a local production. It has also two holes filled with white metal (iron ? tin ?). A very peculiar similarity is the leather work of the handle.