Salampaso short sword

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 07:54 PM

I once had a Salampasu sword which had a piece of cloth tied round the base of the blade (near the handle). It was very dirty and when I pulled it, it desintegrated. At the time, I wondered what it was.

Later I found some pics in a German book on African weapons. Both Salampasu swords had cloth tied to the blade.

I should have left my sword untouched, but I didn't know

Here's a pic from that book :

Matt Splatt · 17th November 2007, 08:49 PM

Thanks for the input guys. Freddy, I really need to get a copy of that book! Bill, the blade is definetly stout enough to serve as a tool. From the wear on mine, I would guess that it was used to clear brush at a minimum. in fact, the heavy wear is only apparent on one side. May be this was done on purpose to preserve a sharp edge if the knife had to be used for defense.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 17th November 2007, 08:51 PM

I have a Pende sword with a piece of textile between blade and handle.
Luc

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 09:26 PM

The picture came from this book :

AFRIKANISCHE WAFFEN (African weapons) by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978)

There's also a second book by one of these authors :

SELTENE AFRIKANISCHE KURZWAFFEN (rare short african short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983)

Both books are written in the German and English language with a lot of pics.

Sometimes they pop up on ebay, but then they are very expensive.

I don't know why, I just bought them from the publisher

Here's the link :

https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

Freddy · 17th November 2007, 09:28 PM

I see the link doesn't work

Just type 'Zirngibl' in the search engine (Schnellsuche) and you will find the books

Matt Splatt · 18th November 2007, 05:19 PM

Thanks again Freddy, I've ordered both books and should have them by Christmas!

17th November 2007, 08:51 PM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Pende sword I have a Pende sword with a piece of textile between blade and handle. Luc Attached Images

17th November 2007, 09:28 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	oops I see the link doesn't work Just type 'Zirngibl' in the search engine (Schnellsuche) and you will find the books

17th November 2007, 07:54 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I once had a Salampasu sword which had a piece of cloth tied round the base of the blade (near the handle). It was very dirty and when I pulled it, it desintegrated. At the time, I wondered what it was. Later I found some pics in a German book on African weapons. Both Salampasu swords had cloth tied to the blade. I should have left my sword untouched, but I didn't know Here's a pic from that book :

17th November 2007, 08:49 PM	#2
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 31	Thanks for the input guys. Freddy, I really need to get a copy of that book! Bill, the blade is definetly stout enough to serve as a tool. From the wear on mine, I would guess that it was used to clear brush at a minimum. in fact, the heavy wear is only apparent on one side. May be this was done on purpose to preserve a sharp edge if the knife had to be used for defense.

17th November 2007, 09:26 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	The picture came from this book : AFRIKANISCHE WAFFEN (African weapons) by Werner Fischer and Manfred A. Zirngibl (1978) There's also a second book by one of these authors : SELTENE AFRIKANISCHE KURZWAFFEN (rare short african short weapons) by Manfred A. Zirngibl (1983) Both books are written in the German and English language with a lot of pics. Sometimes they pop up on ebay, but then they are very expensive. I don't know why, I just bought them from the publisher Here's the link : https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript https://ssl.kundenserver.de/s8782122...dex.shopscript

18th November 2007, 05:19 PM	#6
Matt Splatt Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 31	Thanks again Freddy, I've ordered both books and should have them by Christmas!