East Africa Billao

[G. Mansfield]

The first is what may be considered a Tooray Dagger from (Somaliland) Ethiopia, Somalia. It has an asymmetrical Billao style iron blade, appearing better than usual quality with a raised central ridge which I don't see too often on these suggesting it may have some age to it, possibly reworked from recycled metal.

Description:
Assumed age: C.1900-1940
Brass, Bone and horn hilt
Overall Length: 11 ¼” (28.5cm)
Blade Length: 6 ¼” (16cm)

References:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=billao
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=billao+dagger
https://www.forgottenweapons.com/vintage-saturday-4/

The second is the common Ivory hilted with single silver pommel cap. Interesting enough, it seemed to be in the hands of one of the formites here (Nagawarrior) at one point, originating from Oriental Arms.

Description:
Age: Late 19th Century
Elephant Ivory, Brass, Horn, Silver, Decorated Hide Sheath
Overall Length W/ Sheath: 15 ¾” (40cm)
Hilt & Blade Length: 15 ¼” (38.5cm)
Blade Length: 8 5/8” (22cm)

References:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=bilao
http://oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=531

-Geoff