African..spear ended....short fencing foil ??? Any ideas??

katana · 27th October 2006, 03:44 PM

Hi, just purchased this unusual short 'sword', probably West African...the 'shaft' is forged and square in cross section ends in a flattened spear head shape. The spearhead is inscribed with a group of 5 parallel lines and a group of 7 parallel lines, horizontally across the blade and on both sides.The hilt is wood covered in leather, with tassels and a wrist loop. The scabbard is way too long and may be original, assuming the shaft was originally longer, broken and was re-formed with the spear end. Or another 'fencing type' weapon was originally mated with this scabbard. Shows some age and use, possibly mid 20c? Metal work could be older...I certainly do not think this is tourist.

OAL 60cms
'Shaft' from hilt to point 46cms square section approx. 8mm x 8mm
spear point end ( 14cm long , 1.2 cms at widest point)

Scabbard, leather 80 cms long

Has any one seen anything similar? Comments ..as usual ..gratefully received, thankyou

27th October 2006, 03:44 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	African..spear ended....short fencing foil ??? Any ideas?? Hi, just purchased this unusual short 'sword', probably West African...the 'shaft' is forged and square in cross section ends in a flattened spear head shape. The spearhead is inscribed with a group of 5 parallel lines and a group of 7 parallel lines, horizontally across the blade and on both sides.The hilt is wood covered in leather, with tassels and a wrist loop. The scabbard is way too long and may be original, assuming the shaft was originally longer, broken and was re-formed with the spear end. Or another 'fencing type' weapon was originally mated with this scabbard. Shows some age and use, possibly mid 20c? Metal work could be older...I certainly do not think this is tourist. OAL 60cms 'Shaft' from hilt to point 46cms square section approx. 8mm x 8mm spear point end ( 14cm long , 1.2 cms at widest point) Scabbard, leather 80 cms long Has any one seen anything similar? Comments ..as usual ..gratefully received, thankyou Attached Images