Mystery knife - Hadendoa?

DaveA · 24th July 2013, 05:01 AM

Hello all,

I've just acquired the knife you see in the pictures. The blade is reminiscent of a Hadendoa hook style blade, but the hilt is not the typical "X" shape. It is a rough piece of work and beat up by time and use, but I was curious and impulsive. And I love a mystery!

(I'm sorry the pictures are so terrible - they are the seller's.)

Any ideas?

Best Regards,

Dave A.

Iain · 24th July 2013, 06:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveA

Hello all,

I've just acquired the knife you see in the pictures. The blade is reminiscent of a Hadendoa hook style blade, but the hilt is not the typical "X" shape. It is a rough piece of work and beat up by time and use, but I was curious and impulsive. And I love a mystery!

(I'm sorry the pictures are so terrible - they are the seller's.)

Any ideas?

Best Regards,

Dave A.

This looks more like a variation on a trombash from the Congo region to me than anything Sudanic.

Martin Lubojacky · 24th July 2013, 09:02 AM

Yes, I agree with Iain. But the style of the blade (forging/grooving) also resembles blades from the West Africa (Liberia)

colin henshaw · 24th July 2013, 09:40 AM

Unusual piece - look forward to seeing more images. Its not from Sudan or Congo, must be West Africa somewhere.

Jim McDougall · 25th July 2013, 12:50 AM

Looks like a variation of the Dahomean hwi, (Benin). Similar forms can be seen in "African Arms and Armour", Spring, and his references from the Palau Marti work on Dahomean arms.

DaveA · 26th July 2013, 09:13 PM

Thanks for the tip Jim. I will follow that trail and see where it leads! I should receive the item in late August. I'll post new pictures in this thread at that time.

Best regards,

Dave A

Jim McDougall · 26th July 2013, 09:48 PM

You bet Dave, I'll check further as Iain's note on a Congo trombash variant seems well placed as well, and looking at it further both seem likely.

Iain · 27th July 2013, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

You bet Dave, I'll check further as Iain's note on a Congo trombash variant seems well placed as well, and looking at it further both seem likely.

Having looked at it again I think Jim's suggestion probably has more merit, both in terms of the blade and the carved handle.

24th July 2013, 05:01 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Mystery knife - Hadendoa? Hello all, I've just acquired the knife you see in the pictures. The blade is reminiscent of a Hadendoa hook style blade, but the hilt is not the typical "X" shape. It is a rough piece of work and beat up by time and use, but I was curious and impulsive. And I love a mystery! (I'm sorry the pictures are so terrible - they are the seller's.) Any ideas? Best Regards, Dave A. Attached Images

26th July 2013, 09:13 PM	#6
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Thank you Thanks for the tip Jim. I will follow that trail and see where it leads! I should receive the item in late August. I'll post new pictures in this thread at that time. Best regards, Dave A

24th July 2013, 09:02 AM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 836	Yes, I agree with Iain. But the style of the blade (forging/grooving) also resembles blades from the West Africa (Liberia)

24th July 2013, 09:40 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Unusual piece - look forward to seeing more images. Its not from Sudan or Congo, must be West Africa somewhere.

25th July 2013, 12:50 AM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	Looks like a variation of the Dahomean hwi, (Benin). Similar forms can be seen in "African Arms and Armour", Spring, and his references from the Palau Marti work on Dahomean arms.

26th July 2013, 09:48 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,738	You bet Dave, I'll check further as Iain's note on a Congo trombash variant seems well placed as well, and looking at it further both seem likely.