AFRICAN???SWORD for ID and COMMENT

Kubur · 20th June 2016, 12:33 PM

Hi Stu,

Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa.
It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali.
I think that your blade is older than you think.
The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade.
Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves?

Best,
Kubur

kahnjar1 · 20th June 2016, 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Hi Stu,

Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa.
It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali.
I think that your blade is older than you think.
The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade.
Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves?

Best,
Kubur

Hi Kubur,
As stated above, there are no visible marks on the blade.
Stu

Jim McDougall · 20th June 2016, 10:57 PM

Agree with Kubur..
The mounts seem characteristic of Manding work from Mali in degree, but overall West African styling. The aluminum scabbard chape seems like regular modern work on most scabbards from Sudan to Saharan regions.

What is curious in the blockish pommel and leather wrap handle which resembles Omani kattara type weapons, mostly 20th c.

The blade seems European trade type of 19th c. which were of course found on kaskara but known as well on Sierra Leone swords of late 19th c. with cylindrical handles.

Interesting assembly.

kahnjar1 · 21st June 2016, 09:15 PM

Thanks Gentlemen. Yes I agree sub Sahara, maybe Mali or Chad. The pommel top resembles those seen on other Taureg items and I agree the hilt style is very similar to those seen on Omani swords. The thing I like most about this is the leatherwork which is very nicely done IMHO. As has been said above, the blade could be an old European one.
Stu

Iain · 23rd June 2016, 10:36 AM

I'd lean towards 20th century locally made blade myself, it's subtle but the fullers and profile of the blade don't strike me as one of the older European trade blades. Just an opinion though based on photos.

kahnjar1 · 23rd June 2016, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

I'd lean towards 20th century locally made blade myself, it's subtle but the fullers and profile of the blade don't strike me as one of the older European trade blades. Just an opinion though based on photos.

I agree. As I stated in the original post, my feeling is locally forged. As to date again I agree likely 20th c sometime.
Stu

rickystl · 25th June 2016, 03:37 PM

Hi Stu.
As you know, I'm very much a novice when it comes to these blades. But I agree with you. The attractive feature is the scabbard and leather work. Looks like it took longer to make than the blade itself. Nice find.
Rick.

20th June 2016, 12:33 PM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Stu, Your sword is probably Malinke / Mandingo / West Africa. It's a short one, maybe from Cameroon, Tchad or Mali. I think that your blade is older than you think. The quality of the balde and the groves let me think that it's a 18/19th c. blade. Do you have some signs of half moons stamps both sides or at the end of the grooves? Best, Kubur

20th June 2016, 10:57 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	Agree with Kubur.. The mounts seem characteristic of Manding work from Mali in degree, but overall West African styling. The aluminum scabbard chape seems like regular modern work on most scabbards from Sudan to Saharan regions. What is curious in the blockish pommel and leather wrap handle which resembles Omani kattara type weapons, mostly 20th c. The blade seems European trade type of 19th c. which were of course found on kaskara but known as well on Sierra Leone swords of late 19th c. with cylindrical handles. Interesting assembly.

21st June 2016, 09:15 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,800	Thanks Gentlemen. Yes I agree sub Sahara, maybe Mali or Chad. The pommel top resembles those seen on other Taureg items and I agree the hilt style is very similar to those seen on Omani swords. The thing I like most about this is the leatherwork which is very nicely done IMHO. As has been said above, the blade could be an old European one. Stu

23rd June 2016, 10:36 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	I'd lean towards 20th century locally made blade myself, it's subtle but the fullers and profile of the blade don't strike me as one of the older European trade blades. Just an opinion though based on photos.

25th June 2016, 03:37 PM	#7
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,633	Hi Stu. As you know, I'm very much a novice when it comes to these blades. But I agree with you. The attractive feature is the scabbard and leather work. Looks like it took longer to make than the blade itself. Nice find. Rick.