This is a typical sword of the Manding who inhabit subsaharan west Africa. An iron finial with incised decoration terminates a guardless hilt covered with brown and black leather. The unmarked blade appears to have started as a European saber, subsequently shortened to 25 1/4 inches and with a reformed tip. A few shallow nicks are seen along the edge and there is evidence of old rehoning. Patchy old rust with light pitting is evident towards the reworked tip. The leather scabbard is decorated en suite with the hilt and a braided leather sling attaches under leather discs. The scabbard briefly widens towards the tip and the leather is scuffed and worn away over the tip exposing underlying fabric. Overall length is 32 1/2 inches with a total weight of about 26 1/2 ounces (749 grams) of which 16 1/4 ounces are the hilted blade. Lew estimated this example to be circa 1880s through 1890s, though early 20th century also remains possible.