Interesting knife for ID Tlingit or African?

Atlantia · 5th November 2011, 03:11 PM

Who the heck knows!
In some ways it reminds me of the Tlingit knives and in other ways it looks African.
It's 56cm/22" overall. Diamond section blade (thick and sturdy) multiple single fullers. In quite a dry and rusty state, needs a clean badly.
Anyone know what it it?

Gavin Nugent · 5th November 2011, 03:13 PM

A nice large and unusual piece.

Be conservative in cleaning, patina is preferred on African weapons.

Atlantia · 5th November 2011, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

A nice large and unusual piece.

Be conservative in cleaning, patina is preferred on African weapons.

Hi Gav

It IS definately African then?
The hilt bindings remind me of Mandinka work?

Iain · 5th November 2011, 03:33 PM

African for sure in my opinion. This pattern of leather wrapping over cloth is well known in the Cameroon/Nigeria border area. The incised line decoration is also consistent with pieces from this area and also shows up on Hausa arm daggers.

The pommel is certainly unusual, but I guess comes from the same school as the Tebu skullcrusher style.

Nice piece!

Atlantia · 5th November 2011, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

African for sure in my opinion. This pattern of leather wrapping over cloth is well known in the Cameroon/Nigeria border area. The incised line decoration is also consistent with pieces from this area and also shows up on Hausa arm daggers.

The pommel is certainly unusual, but I guess comes from the same school as the Tebu skullcrusher style.

Nice piece!

Thanks Iain.

I've never seen one quite like this before, so it had me a bit stumped.

Iain · 5th November 2011, 04:55 PM

No problem, I can't recall one exactly the same either, but I think the general style is pretty consistent with the region I mentioned.

I like it a lot, sometimes arm daggers from the region have quite wide blades but I like this slender profile - rather elegant.

5th November 2011, 03:11 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Interesting knife for ID Tlingit or African? Who the heck knows! In some ways it reminds me of the Tlingit knives and in other ways it looks African. It's 56cm/22" overall. Diamond section blade (thick and sturdy) multiple single fullers. In quite a dry and rusty state, needs a clean badly. Anyone know what it it? Attached Images

5th November 2011, 03:13 PM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	A nice large and unusual piece. Be conservative in cleaning, patina is preferred on African weapons.

5th November 2011, 03:33 PM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	African for sure in my opinion. This pattern of leather wrapping over cloth is well known in the Cameroon/Nigeria border area. The incised line decoration is also consistent with pieces from this area and also shows up on Hausa arm daggers. The pommel is certainly unusual, but I guess comes from the same school as the Tebu skullcrusher style. Nice piece!

5th November 2011, 04:55 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	No problem, I can't recall one exactly the same either, but I think the general style is pretty consistent with the region I mentioned. I like it a lot, sometimes arm daggers from the region have quite wide blades but I like this slender profile - rather elegant.