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24th January 2012, 11:39 AM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,818
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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 |
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25th January 2012, 09:36 AM
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#2 | |
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,429
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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 Quote:
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25th January 2012, 10:43 AM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Olomouc
Posts: 1,719
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There is a lot of lost wax casting done in the Mandara area. Here's one:
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/attach...id=32962&stc=1 (just linking the image since it was an old sale in the swap forum that was never marked as sold). Also not the circular motifs on that piece. I know of a few others in the collection of friends, but I'd have to ask before posting their images. My Chamba blade is about the same thickness at the base of the spine. |
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