IS THIS AN AFRICAN DAGGER ? PAGING THE EXPERTS

fernando · 7th April 2007, 09:54 PM

Quite a bizarre specimen.
The seller only had it with him for a couple days ... no time to identify it.
Th blade is 21,5 cms ( 8 1/2" ) long.
Grip and scabbard are cast brass ... seller mentioned lost wax?!
There is an eliptical window in the scabbard ... i ignore the purpose.
In its back there is a frog button. In the front, there is an arch loop.
The blade looks used and some old. It has equal decoration/marks on both sides.
Somebody help me to identify this piece ?
Thanks in advance
fernando

Flavio · 7th April 2007, 10:09 PM

Hello Fernando, seems some kind of variation of the Adamaua - Mandara daggers (North Cameroon).

fernando · 7th April 2007, 11:11 PM

Thanks a lot Flavio.
Quite close. I will try and check further into that.

katana · 8th April 2007, 12:30 PM

Hi Fernando,
I'm no expert

but the hilt design (not including the pommel) and blade shape seem to have Taureg inflences.

Nice old piece

fernando · 8th April 2007, 05:17 PM

Thanks David,
I was actually tending to beleive Flavio's sugestion was about right, specially because of those scabbard rounded tips. I just can't see in the pictures if those scabbards are perforated, which would better define the similarity with my piece. I also have "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" in a CD, but i can't see any better. My idea is that the "window" in the scabbard is vital detail for identification, as also the blade marks. I wonder which is the scabbard face side, and if that button is really a frog holder. This way the window would be in the back side, against the body. However with that brass arch loop, would be uncomfortable, whatever purpose it would be for.
I wonder if Tim Simons has something like this in his collection ... or anybody else, anyway. I would love to know a few things about this item. Could all the details be just fantasy or functional parts.
I will keep looking, until further news come in.
Thanks again
fernando

Flavio · 8th April 2007, 06:37 PM

Hello Fernando, at least number 132 of "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" has oper work on the scabbard. Note also the particular on number 133 scabbard identical to yours.

7th April 2007, 09:54 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	IS THIS AN AFRICAN DAGGER ? PAGING THE EXPERTS Quite a bizarre specimen. The seller only had it with him for a couple days ... no time to identify it. Th blade is 21,5 cms ( 8 1/2" ) long. Grip and scabbard are cast brass ... seller mentioned lost wax?! There is an eliptical window in the scabbard ... i ignore the purpose. In its back there is a frog button. In the front, there is an arch loop. The blade looks used and some old. It has equal decoration/marks on both sides. Somebody help me to identify this piece ? Thanks in advance fernando Attached Images

7th April 2007, 10:09 PM	#2
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Fernando, seems some kind of variation of the Adamaua - Mandara daggers (North Cameroon). Attached Images

8th April 2007, 06:37 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Fernando, at least number 132 of "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" has oper work on the scabbard. Note also the particular on number 133 scabbard identical to yours. Attached Images

7th April 2007, 11:11 PM	#3
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thanks a lot Flavio. Quite close. I will try and check further into that.

8th April 2007, 12:30 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Fernando, I'm no expert but the hilt design (not including the pommel) and blade shape seem to have Taureg inflences. Nice old piece

8th April 2007, 05:17 PM	#5
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,642	Thanks David, I was actually tending to beleive Flavio's sugestion was about right, specially because of those scabbard rounded tips. I just can't see in the pictures if those scabbards are perforated, which would better define the similarity with my piece. I also have "Waffen aus Zentral-Afrika" in a CD, but i can't see any better. My idea is that the "window" in the scabbard is vital detail for identification, as also the blade marks. I wonder which is the scabbard face side, and if that button is really a frog holder. This way the window would be in the back side, against the body. However with that brass arch loop, would be uncomfortable, whatever purpose it would be for. I wonder if Tim Simons has something like this in his collection ... or anybody else, anyway. I would love to know a few things about this item. Could all the details be just fantasy or functional parts. I will keep looking, until further news come in. Thanks again fernando