African Sword Id Help

Alan62 · 27th December 2005, 01:19 PM

Is there a way to Id african swords by the hilt shape?
Does anyone recognize this type sword?

Thank You for any asistance
Alan

Tim Simmons · 27th December 2005, 04:57 PM

Hello. it looks like a Fang knife from the Cameroon , Equatotial Guinea and Gabon. Very nice handle in spite of the damage, alas I do not own one of these to compere examples

, I suspect a couple of other members have. Tim

Alan62 · 28th December 2005, 01:06 PM

Thanks Tim

Alan62 · 1st January 2006, 07:33 PM

Just thought I would add a more detailed pic

Oriental-Arms · 2nd January 2006, 03:38 PM

Very interesting and uncommon sword indeed. The cross shaped handle has some reminiscence to the Fang swords, but on the other hand, I do not see the rear pointed short protrusion on the base of the blade. The fang swords handles tends to be plain without much carving and usually bound with brass or iron wires. Also, the variety in the Fang swords is quite limited and they tend to look very similar.
Although I can not substantiate it, I think this one may be a Baule sword. The Baule from Ivory Coast in West Africa are known to be excellent wood carvers. and the variety of their blade is rather wide, so this may fall within this group.

Alan62 · 2nd January 2006, 09:41 PM

Thank You O-A
I will look in that direction and see what I can find.

27th December 2005, 01:19 PM	#1
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	African Sword Id Help Is there a way to Id african swords by the hilt shape? Does anyone recognize this type sword? Thank You for any asistance Alan

2nd January 2006, 03:38 PM	#5
Oriental-Arms Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Haifa, Israel Posts: 183	May be baule?? Very interesting and uncommon sword indeed. The cross shaped handle has some reminiscence to the Fang swords, but on the other hand, I do not see the rear pointed short protrusion on the base of the blade. The fang swords handles tends to be plain without much carving and usually bound with brass or iron wires. Also, the variety in the Fang swords is quite limited and they tend to look very similar. Although I can not substantiate it, I think this one may be a Baule sword. The Baule from Ivory Coast in West Africa are known to be excellent wood carvers. and the variety of their blade is rather wide, so this may fall within this group.

27th December 2005, 04:57 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Hello. it looks like a Fang knife from the Cameroon , Equatotial Guinea and Gabon. Very nice handle in spite of the damage, alas I do not own one of these to compere examples , I suspect a couple of other members have. Tim

28th December 2005, 01:06 PM	#3
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Thanks Tim

1st January 2006, 07:33 PM	#4
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Just thought I would add a more detailed pic

2nd January 2006, 09:41 PM	#6
Alan62 Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 164	Thank You O-A I will look in that direction and see what I can find.