Anyone recognize this?

JeffS · 25th April 2026, 03:02 AM

A recent Ebay auction (I did not bid). This is an unusual piece. It was listed as a dha but many features don't line up. I am assuming the German portepee tassel is not original to the sword.

Tang appears to pass through and be peened over a pommel plate/end cap. Dha-type swords are uncommon with peened full-tang construction.

Scabbard is form fit leather, I do not recall another dha with a leather scabbard. It is heavily tooled with repeating geometric motifs, including eye/lozenge forms and punched border decoration. Tje design appears tribal to me. A raised central strip running down one face of the scabbard with multiple small repeated tabs/loops/fixtures spaced along it. These look functional rather than decorative.

Provenance from seller: obtained from the grandchildren of Wigand Wüster (German owner), could be a Stalingrad veteran and author of a memoir of his POW experience.

Tim Simmons · 25th April 2026, 01:05 PM

That looks like from old Formosa with a bit of European sword knot added.

Tim Simmons · 25th April 2026, 02:51 PM

This might explain the sword knot only if my suggestion is correct.

https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/fea.../27/2003780629

Sajen · 25th April 2026, 08:15 PM

There is nothing Formosan on it either on the knife nor on the scabbard!

Tim Simmons · 26th April 2026, 06:00 AM

Well it is not African for sure. If not Formosa them a mainland Asia with a Chinese look.

JeffS · 26th April 2026, 07:02 AM

I feel the scabbard is likely the most diagnostic feature, clearly made for the blade, unusual motifs.

Sajen · 26th April 2026, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

Well it is not African for sure. If not Formosa them a mainland Asia with a Chinese look.

Hello Tim,

I am not sure about an African origin, the scabbard has a very African appearance to my eyes.

And mainland sword scabbards are very seldom made from leather.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 26th April 2026, 02:01 PM

Tim,

Thanks for that very interesting link! Your suggestion of a Formosan connection is a nice "outside-the box' idea. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Detlef -- I can't see any Formosan connection for this sword.

Jeff,

I can see why someone thought this might be a SE Asian dha, daab, daav. Looking at the sword without the scabbard, it could pass for a Cambodian sword I suppose. But I can't place the leather scabbard and its "tribal" designs in a mainland SE Asian context, and the portepee tassel is a challenge to explain.

Looking at German colonial involvement elsewhere, as Tim has suggested, may prove profitable. When faced with similar conundrums, I sometimes go back to Stone's encyclopedic book and try to match a sword or scabbard. It's surprising how much obscure information is included in his book.

25th April 2026, 03:02 AM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 459	Anyone recognize this? A recent Ebay auction (I did not bid). This is an unusual piece. It was listed as a dha but many features don't line up. I am assuming the German portepee tassel is not original to the sword. Tang appears to pass through and be peened over a pommel plate/end cap. Dha-type swords are uncommon with peened full-tang construction. Scabbard is form fit leather, I do not recall another dha with a leather scabbard. It is heavily tooled with repeating geometric motifs, including eye/lozenge forms and punched border decoration. Tje design appears tribal to me. A raised central strip running down one face of the scabbard with multiple small repeated tabs/loops/fixtures spaced along it. These look functional rather than decorative. Provenance from seller: obtained from the grandchildren of Wigand Wüster (German owner), could be a Stalingrad veteran and author of a memoir of his POW experience. Attached Images Last edited by JeffS; 25th April 2026 at 03:10 AM. Reason: added more photos

26th April 2026, 07:02 AM	#6
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 459	I feel the scabbard is likely the most diagnostic feature, clearly made for the blade, unusual motifs. Attached Images

25th April 2026, 01:05 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,986	That looks like from old Formosa with a bit of European sword knot added.

25th April 2026, 02:51 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,986	This might explain the sword knot only if my suggestion is correct. https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/fea.../27/2003780629

25th April 2026, 08:15 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,728	There is nothing Formosan on it either on the knife nor on the scabbard!

26th April 2026, 06:00 AM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,986	Well it is not African for sure. If not Formosa them a mainland Asia with a Chinese look.

26th April 2026, 02:01 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,708	Tim, Thanks for that very interesting link! Your suggestion of a Formosan connection is a nice "outside-the box' idea. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Detlef -- I can't see any Formosan connection for this sword. Jeff, I can see why someone thought this might be a SE Asian dha, daab, daav. Looking at the sword without the scabbard, it could pass for a Cambodian sword I suppose. But I can't place the leather scabbard and its "tribal" designs in a mainland SE Asian context, and the portepee tassel is a challenge to explain. Looking at German colonial involvement elsewhere, as Tim has suggested, may prove profitable. When faced with similar conundrums, I sometimes go back to Stone's encyclopedic book and try to match a sword or scabbard. It's surprising how much obscure information is included in his book.