West African ? dagger for I.D.

[colin henshaw]

Gav,

Yes, you are quite right about the blade. Max. thickness at the spine must be 3-3.5mm. In fact the blade is very similar to that on an Ottoman dagger I had some time ago (see attached image). I wonder could it be a re-used Ottoman blade, perhaps broken at the tang area ? which would explain the applied brass/bronze handle...

The handle is interesting - using the "lost wax" technique - strings of wax applied, covered with clay, melted out, then the space filled in with liquid brass. I've seen that work plus similar half-moon motifs, on Ashanti gold-weights etc. But they are located near the coast, a long way from Northern Cameroon. H'mm...

Regards
Colin

Originally Posted by freebooter

Colin,

It looks to be of very strong and bright steel unlike, if I can use the term, "Typical" African sword. How thick is it between the medial ridges?

Gav