Origin ?

Michel · 19th May 2008, 06:01 PM

Any African weapon specialist on board ?
Greetings.

Where from ?
Overall length is 60cm
Blade only 33 cm
Blade is obviously not functional : too thin (2mm) for thrusting and inadequate for slashing.
So for me a "tourist" weapon but it has a nice and well made leather scabbard.
reminding me of the West-African Mandingo/Sudanese type of sheath but less colorful.
Has any of our African specialist an idea of the origin of this blade and sheath?

Thanks fo any information
Regards
Michel

Yannis · 20th May 2008, 09:35 AM

It looks like it was made and sold in a bazaar of Egypt

katana · 20th May 2008, 10:23 AM

These are often sold on eBay, I have seen them listed as Toureg, but also Nigeria, Saharan, Egyptian etc..... what is certain is that they are Tourist quality. However , I do not know if these knives are 'based' on an original tribal weapon

Regards David

VANDOO · 21st May 2008, 07:18 PM

I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THESE AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S AND THEY WERE PROBABLY MADE IN THIS FORM IN THE EARLY 20 TH CENTURY POSSIBLY BEFORE IN A LESS ORNATE FORM. MY EXAMPLE IS SAID TO HAVE COME FROM BAMAKO ,MALI AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MANDINGO FORM. IT IS LIKE YOUR EXAMPLE AND HAS VERY NICE LEATHERWORK WITH A SINGLE EDGED BLADE (SHARP OUTSIDE OF CURVE) WITH A BLUNT DULL TIP. IT COULD BE USED TO SLASH IN A FIGHT BUT WOULD NOT BE A VERY EFFECIENT WEAPON. I SUSPECT THEY WERE USED FOR PRESTIEGE OR IF MORE COMMON POSSIBLY A WORK KNIFE SUITABLE FOR GATHERING FODDER FOR ANIMALS ECT. THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN ITS DESIGN IS THE WAY THE TANG PASSES THRU THE HANDLE AND IS MADE INTO A RING, IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO ATTACH A FANCY TASSEL (A THING THE MANDINGO TRIBE LIKES ON THE END OF THEIR SCABBARDS) BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE WITH A TASSEL?
THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS OF ONE WHICH HAS SEEN SOME ACTUAL USE IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS COMING FROM LIBERIA AFRICA. PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN AFRICAN WEAPONS WILL PIN IT DOWN FOR US. WHATEVER IT IS OR WHEREVER ITS FROM IT IS UNUSUAL AND ATTRACTIVE.

19th May 2008, 06:01 PM	#1
Michel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Switzerland Posts: 139	Origin ? Any African weapon specialist on board ? Greetings. Where from ? Overall length is 60cm Blade only 33 cm Blade is obviously not functional : too thin (2mm) for thrusting and inadequate for slashing. So for me a "tourist" weapon but it has a nice and well made leather scabbard. reminding me of the West-African Mandingo/Sudanese type of sheath but less colorful. Has any of our African specialist an idea of the origin of this blade and sheath? Thanks fo any information Regards Michel Attached Images Last edited by Michel; 19th May 2008 at 08:07 PM.

21st May 2008, 07:18 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I HAVE PERSONALLY SEEN THESE AROUND SINCE THE EARLY 1960'S AND THEY WERE PROBABLY MADE IN THIS FORM IN THE EARLY 20 TH CENTURY POSSIBLY BEFORE IN A LESS ORNATE FORM. MY EXAMPLE IS SAID TO HAVE COME FROM BAMAKO ,MALI AND MIGHT HAVE BEEN A MANDINGO FORM. IT IS LIKE YOUR EXAMPLE AND HAS VERY NICE LEATHERWORK WITH A SINGLE EDGED BLADE (SHARP OUTSIDE OF CURVE) WITH A BLUNT DULL TIP. IT COULD BE USED TO SLASH IN A FIGHT BUT WOULD NOT BE A VERY EFFECIENT WEAPON. I SUSPECT THEY WERE USED FOR PRESTIEGE OR IF MORE COMMON POSSIBLY A WORK KNIFE SUITABLE FOR GATHERING FODDER FOR ANIMALS ECT. THE MOST UNUSUAL THING IN ITS DESIGN IS THE WAY THE TANG PASSES THRU THE HANDLE AND IS MADE INTO A RING, IT LOOKS LIKE A GREAT PLACE TO ATTACH A FANCY TASSEL (A THING THE MANDINGO TRIBE LIKES ON THE END OF THEIR SCABBARDS) BUT I HAVE NEVER SEEN ONE WITH A TASSEL? THE ATTACHED PICTURE IS OF ONE WHICH HAS SEEN SOME ACTUAL USE IT WAS IDENTIFIED AS COMING FROM LIBERIA AFRICA. PERHAPS SOMEONE WHO SPECIALIZES IN AFRICAN WEAPONS WILL PIN IT DOWN FOR US. WHATEVER IT IS OR WHEREVER ITS FROM IT IS UNUSUAL AND ATTRACTIVE. Attached Images

20th May 2008, 09:35 AM	#2
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	It looks like it was made and sold in a bazaar of Egypt

20th May 2008, 10:23 AM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	These are often sold on eBay, I have seen them listed as Toureg, but also Nigeria, Saharan, Egyptian etc..... what is certain is that they are Tourist quality. However , I do not know if these knives are 'based' on an original tribal weapon Regards David