Lew Waldman's Ethnographic Arms & Armour Collection Archive


1017 - African Masai Seme (Ol Alem) Short Sword with Leather Grip and Scabbard

The 15½ inch (39.4 cm) blade broadens until just before the tip and appears to have been formed of 0.1 inch thick sheet steel with well honed edges. Scattered old rust spots are present upon this blade. The hilt is formed from tan leather and the sword has a brown leather covered wooden scabbard with losses on an edge near the belt loop and also at the end where the tip of the blade peeks through. Probably second half of the 20th century. Overall length is 21 inches (53.3 cm) with a weight of 13¼ ounces (385 grams).




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