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

Sajen · 26th April 2026, 08:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JeffS

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

Agree completely with you Jeff!

Tim Simmons · 26th April 2026, 09:28 AM

I have changed my mind. It came to mind that we have seen another Asian looking Afrucan knife with the same type of form fit leather scabbaed. It is in the forum somewhere. I think the conclusion was the great lakes regions. It was a small knife compered to the one in discussion. It had an ivory hilt with some red pigment decoration. I will try to find it.

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: 9,729	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, 09:28 AM	#9
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,986	I have changed my mind. It came to mind that we have seen another Asian looking Afrucan knife with the same type of form fit leather scabbaed. It is in the forum somewhere. I think the conclusion was the great lakes regions. It was a small knife compered to the one in discussion. It had an ivory hilt with some red pigment decoration. I will try to find it.

26th April 2026, 02:01 PM	#10
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.