An Old Masai Seme....I'm not so certain

[asomotif]

I had a similar seme about 2 years ago.

I believe I also had a thread on that on, so will see if I can find it.
(there it is ) :http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4120

[katana]

Thank you Colin and Asomotif for your input ,

according to the posting asomotif 'linked' the dimensions suggest a 'war' sword . The handle is indeed a puzzle, tha tapering wire covered section, although crude, reminds me of the Omani Kattera. Perhaps the wired section is to provide 'weight' to help balance the blade. Looking at the blade 'tip' (in the pictures) suggests it had been sharpened a number of times.
Can I safely assumed that this is likely a late 19th C to early 20th C (pre 1935 )

This quoted from the same thread....

Originally Posted by RomaRana

Manolo,

The seme you posted dates at least to 1935. This is because the development of this type of sword was probably related to the spear and weapons ordinance introduced by the British to quell the "warrior" culture of many tribal groups.

The ban lasted from 1935-1955 and did a great deal of damage to the blacksmithing culture in the region as evidenced by a drop in quality of the blades from the older type.

Kind Regards David

[katana]

The Seme has arrived ...and is better than I thought Hand forged with a nice tempered blade which is still quite sharp (no evidence of recent honing either) The 'forte' is 6 sided (almost diamond cross section with two of the opposing 'angles' that are flattened 5mm) The blade 'thickness' then gradually decreases as the blade width widens. The last 40% of the blade it's thickness is decreased significantly (as the blade is widened)

The wire used in the handle is cable which has been covered in leather (which follows the 'contours' of the wire below. The tang is slightly exposed at the end.

Although the handle is useable, I can't help feeling that this was likely used two handed by gripping the forte.
There is a nice patina to the blade and although the handle seems to have had a repair...it looks as if this was done quite awhile ago.

Would late 19th C early 20th C be likely?

Please any info / comments greatly appreciated, thankyou

Regards David

[katana]

Hi
sorry to 'bump' the thread, but has anyone any idea about this Seme. I still have doubts that this is Masai. Spring's "African arms and armour" has little information, and Stone's " A glossary....arms and armour..." also has only a 'basic' description.

Any further info. would be greatly appreciated, thank you.

Regards David

[Tim Simmons]

It might be a Tutsi or Hutu version of what we know as a Seme?