A fair range of ideas regarding the lack of a hand guard from forum members.
For myself, I think the common link (slave trade), with the also guardless Omani/Zanzibar swords (kattara) is telling. Certainly, once slaves were captured, a long sharp sword would be sufficient to control and intimidate, and hand guards superfluous...
Do any forumites have further comments on the intriguing metal "sandwich" at the forte area ? Just to strengthen the assemblage ? outside influences etc ?
Weapons from those West African forested, coastal areas seem fascinating, can anyone recommend suitable references ?
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