Mandingo (?) dagger with unusual brass blade

Sajen · 26th August 2013, 07:51 PM

I just get this unusal Mandingo (?) dagger. The blade from brass is square-section and become octagonal toward the tip and is incised. The blade is 9'' long (22,9 cm), the complete dagger is 12,5'' (31,75 cm) without the the leather fringe.

I am correct that it is a Mandingo dagger? Have someone seen somthing similar before and is it a real weapon or something ceremonial?

All hints about this piece are very welcome.

Iain · 26th August 2013, 09:10 PM

I've seen similar basic form on spear components. I can't recall it in this context before. A the leather work does not have particularly great age, at least judging from the photos, I would have to at least raise the possibility this is some sort of composite piece? But I am really not sure.

Sajen · 26th August 2013, 10:53 PM

Hello Ian,

thank you for comment. There is of course the possibility that this is a composite piece but I have looked long to the ebay listing (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251233220747...84.m1439.l2649) and the stating of the seller that the dagger could be 50-75 years old seems reasonable and believable when you look to the other offered items and descriptions. So I think/hope that the dagger is authentic.
I have found after some research this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=mandingo
So seems the use of brass blades not uncommon.

Regards,

Detlef

VANDOO · 27th August 2013, 12:09 AM

IT MAY BE A RIDING QUIRT, THEY ARE FAIRLY COMMON IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND A SQUARE BLADE AND SHORT LEGNTH IS NOT UNUSUAL IN A QUIRT WHERE IT IS UNUSUAL IN A DAGGER. VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP ON LEATHER AND BLADE WHATEVER IT IS.

Sajen · 27th August 2013, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDOO

IT MAY BE A RIDING QUIRT, THEY ARE FAIRLY COMMON IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND A SQUARE BLADE AND SHORT LEGNTH IS NOT UNUSUAL IN A QUIRT WHERE IT IS UNUSUAL IN A DAGGER. VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP ON LEATHER AND BLADE WHATEVER IT IS.

Thank you Barry, the workmanship appealed my eyes and let me give a decent offer. And when I look to the given thread in up I see a lot of similarities with the dagger Tim have shown there.

Regards,

Detlef

26th August 2013, 07:51 PM	#1
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,519	Mandingo (?) dagger with unusual brass blade I just get this unusal Mandingo (?) dagger. The blade from brass is square-section and become octagonal toward the tip and is incised. The blade is 9'' long (22,9 cm), the complete dagger is 12,5'' (31,75 cm) without the the leather fringe. I am correct that it is a Mandingo dagger? Have someone seen somthing similar before and is it a real weapon or something ceremonial? All hints about this piece are very welcome. Attached Images Last edited by Sajen; 27th August 2013 at 01:15 AM.

26th August 2013, 09:10 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	I've seen similar basic form on spear components. I can't recall it in this context before. A the leather work does not have particularly great age, at least judging from the photos, I would have to at least raise the possibility this is some sort of composite piece? But I am really not sure.

26th August 2013, 10:53 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,519	Hello Ian, thank you for comment. There is of course the possibility that this is a composite piece but I have looked long to the ebay listing (http://www.ebay.com/itm/251233220747...84.m1439.l2649) and the stating of the seller that the dagger could be 50-75 years old seems reasonable and believable when you look to the other offered items and descriptions. So I think/hope that the dagger is authentic. I have found after some research this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=mandingo So seems the use of brass blades not uncommon. Regards, Detlef

27th August 2013, 12:09 AM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IT MAY BE A RIDING QUIRT, THEY ARE FAIRLY COMMON IN THAT PART OF THE WORLD AND A SQUARE BLADE AND SHORT LEGNTH IS NOT UNUSUAL IN A QUIRT WHERE IT IS UNUSUAL IN A DAGGER. VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP ON LEATHER AND BLADE WHATEVER IT IS.