Manding dagger/short-sword?

Kirk · 7th December 2011, 10:33 PM

The overall length is 24in. and the blade measures 18 3/4 in.

Stan S. · 8th December 2011, 11:31 AM

Hello fellow Brooklynite! While African swords are not my specialty, this is quite nice.

laEspadaAncha · 8th December 2011, 05:06 PM

Hi Kirk,

Welcome to the forum.

Could you post some close-up pictures of the blade? In particular, I'd like to see those fullers up close when time allows...

Chris

Iain · 9th December 2011, 01:22 AM

Hi Kirk,

Let me add to the words of welcome, I'm always delighted to see more members with an interest in Sahel arms and armor.

This is a very interesting short sword, I am not entirely sure regarding an ethnic attribution, this is a bit out of my normal area. However I saw one of these for sale the other week, shorter and the blade of a lesser quality. But with a scabbard. I will try to dig up some photos.

The style is certainly intriguing and I think Manding is probably not far off. I will take a look through my notes and see if anything turns up.

At any rate, a very nice piece exhibiting fine workmanship.

All the best,

Iain

Iain · 9th December 2011, 01:57 PM

A link to a photo album of a similar item - not mine unfortunately.

https://picasaweb.google.com/1029431...eat=directlink

Kirk · 10th December 2011, 09:51 PM

Hi Everyone,

Wuzzup Brooklyn!!!

I'm a newbie collector with a big interest in swords from the Sahel and Europe. This is the best place, I find, for my continuing research into the subject.

This piece was bought on ebay in the summer and I've been looking for similar pieces ever since.
Here's a picture I found with a similar sword from CAPTAIN CANOT; OR,

TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER

here's a link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23034...-h/23034-h.htm

Notice the sword the sword-bearer is carrying.

Mauro · 10th December 2011, 10:41 PM

Compliment Kirk, for the nice dagger. The blade looks a shortened sword blade but it would be necessary some better photos of the terminal part of the blade to be sure. I already saw other sword like that and I always asked myself which tribe of the Sahel made them. I am not sure it is Manding. Thanks for sharing

Kirk · 20th December 2011, 05:33 PM

The Manding is designated as a language group, who share a similar dialect and live many of the countries in the West African region. They can be found from the Gambia to the Côte d'Ivoire and include the Bambara, Dyula, Mandingo, Maninke, and Malinke ( and probably many others). Granted, migration and assimilation being taken into account, I would imagine variation in hilt design is bound to diverse and imaginative.

I've noticed three kinds of hilts attributed to the Manding people. Is there a list or typography chart that clarifies or discusses this in more detail?

7th December 2011, 10:33 PM	#1
Kirk Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. Posts: 11	Manding dagger/short-sword? The overall length is 24in. and the blade measures 18 3/4 in. Attached Images

10th December 2011, 09:51 PM	#6
Kirk Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. Posts: 11	Hi Everyone, Wuzzup Brooklyn!!! I'm a newbie collector with a big interest in swords from the Sahel and Europe. This is the best place, I find, for my continuing research into the subject. This piece was bought on ebay in the summer and I've been looking for similar pieces ever since. Here's a picture I found with a similar sword from CAPTAIN CANOT; OR, TWENTY YEARS OF AN AFRICAN SLAVER here's a link: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/23034...-h/23034-h.htm Notice the sword the sword-bearer is carrying. Attached Images

8th December 2011, 11:31 AM	#2
Stan S. Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Brooklyn, NY USA Posts: 227	Hello fellow Brooklynite! While African swords are not my specialty, this is quite nice.

8th December 2011, 05:06 PM	#3
laEspadaAncha Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 608	Hi Kirk, Welcome to the forum. Could you post some close-up pictures of the blade? In particular, I'd like to see those fullers up close when time allows... Chris

9th December 2011, 01:22 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	Hi Kirk, Let me add to the words of welcome, I'm always delighted to see more members with an interest in Sahel arms and armor. This is a very interesting short sword, I am not entirely sure regarding an ethnic attribution, this is a bit out of my normal area. However I saw one of these for sale the other week, shorter and the blade of a lesser quality. But with a scabbard. I will try to dig up some photos. The style is certainly intriguing and I think Manding is probably not far off. I will take a look through my notes and see if anything turns up. At any rate, a very nice piece exhibiting fine workmanship. All the best, Iain

9th December 2011, 01:57 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	A link to a photo album of a similar item - not mine unfortunately. https://picasaweb.google.com/1029431...eat=directlink

10th December 2011, 10:41 PM	#7
Mauro Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 83	Compliment Kirk, for the nice dagger. The blade looks a shortened sword blade but it would be necessary some better photos of the terminal part of the blade to be sure. I already saw other sword like that and I always asked myself which tribe of the Sahel made them. I am not sure it is Manding. Thanks for sharing

20th December 2011, 05:33 PM	#8
Kirk Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Brooklyn, N.Y. Posts: 11	The Manding is designated as a language group, who share a similar dialect and live many of the countries in the West African region. They can be found from the Gambia to the Côte d'Ivoire and include the Bambara, Dyula, Mandingo, Maninke, and Malinke ( and probably many others). Granted, migration and assimilation being taken into account, I would imagine variation in hilt design is bound to diverse and imaginative. I've noticed three kinds of hilts attributed to the Manding people. Is there a list or typography chart that clarifies or discusses this in more detail?