Strange item

Freddy · 29th November 2005, 05:58 PM

Last week, I came across this 'thing'. I know it's a croc's tail

, but what is it used for?

I've been discussing it with a German friend and he thinks it's the sheath of a sword or a quiver. According to his opinion, probably from the Sudan.

I'm more inclined to believe it's a quiver of some kind. The opening at the top of the piece is too wide to hold a sword properly. It would drop to the ground when inverted.
There's a (broken) leather strap, perhaps used for tying it to one's belt.

I wonder what the other forumites make of it.

Length : 54 cm
Width at the top : 9 cm

RSWORD · 29th November 2005, 08:35 PM

Perhaps a scabbard for a spearhead. Some spears have much wider blades than swords or knives and would taper in a similar fashion as the shape of the tail.

Tim Simmons · 29th November 2005, 09:20 PM

Very unusual, it shows no sign of having fitted a blade of any kind, no nicks or cuts or wear from sliding over sharp metal. Could it be a holster for the handle of a club or axe? maybe even slipped over the muzzle of a gun? Something went in or it went over something, it seems a little short for arrows in East Africa. Possibly hunters arrows? Tim

ariel · 29th November 2005, 10:49 PM

Look at the tips of Kaskara scabbards: I think this is it.

Montino Bourbon · 1st December 2005, 02:36 AM

It's part of a hallowe'en costume!

Rick · 1st December 2005, 03:19 AM

Which part ?

Freddy · 1st December 2005, 10:43 AM

Don't they use similar items in Papua New Guinea.....to cover some parts of the (male) human anatomy ?

29th November 2005, 05:58 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Strange item Last week, I came across this 'thing'. I know it's a croc's tail , but what is it used for? I've been discussing it with a German friend and he thinks it's the sheath of a sword or a quiver. According to his opinion, probably from the Sudan. I'm more inclined to believe it's a quiver of some kind. The opening at the top of the piece is too wide to hold a sword properly. It would drop to the ground when inverted. There's a (broken) leather strap, perhaps used for tying it to one's belt. I wonder what the other forumites make of it. Length : 54 cm Width at the top : 9 cm

1st December 2005, 10:43 AM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Now I know ! Don't they use similar items in Papua New Guinea.....to cover some parts of the (male) human anatomy ?

29th November 2005, 08:35 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Perhaps a scabbard for a spearhead. Some spears have much wider blades than swords or knives and would taper in a similar fashion as the shape of the tail.

29th November 2005, 09:20 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Very unusual, it shows no sign of having fitted a blade of any kind, no nicks or cuts or wear from sliding over sharp metal. Could it be a holster for the handle of a club or axe? maybe even slipped over the muzzle of a gun? Something went in or it went over something, it seems a little short for arrows in East Africa. Possibly hunters arrows? Tim

29th November 2005, 10:49 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Look at the tips of Kaskara scabbards: I think this is it.

1st December 2005, 02:36 AM	#5
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 295	It's part of a hallowe'en costume!

1st December 2005, 03:19 AM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	Which part ?