Manding sword

Kubur · 25th September 2014, 09:27 AM

Most of the time they use springs of old trucks to do the blades.
It is not an old sword.
I will post later an old example with a military French blade of the end of 18th.
Kubur

Gavin Nugent · 27th September 2014, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Most of the time they use springs of old trucks to do the blades.
Kubur

Trucks of no use were not that plentiful but sure did exist.

I know of tourist swords from the 50s & 60's being made from tin cans that Europeans discarded. Swords could be made right there in front of you with these smelted tins.

I have read about rail way lines being torn up and turned to sharp pointy things in Ethiopia.

Steel rod used for spear heads.

Almost anything bought to Africa through EU contact was used in many regions.

What iron ore producers and native smiths there were, in native context made weapons suitable for war as the ore was very precious.

One of the type discussed that I sold a few years back and have not yet found another of this quality to replace it.

http://www.swordsantiqueweapons.com/s241_full.html

Jim McDougall · 27th September 2014, 07:58 PM

Kubur, exquisite blade of late 18th into 19th c. with Cassignard (Nantes) style decorative motif. It is always outstanding to find these kinds of vintage blades in these Manding sabres, which indeed typically were examples of French origin.

Gav, thank you for adding these exemplars from the spectrum of sources often providing material for blades and various sword components in these colonial areas. In native and frontier contexts, recycling was absolutely necessary when not simply convenient. Countless numbers of these old blades circulated through these regions for more generations than we can imagine.

blue lander · 29th September 2014, 06:29 PM

These are all very nice swords that are obviously antiques, but I still don't think my sword is all that bad. It isn't very old, its in rough shape and the blade was never used in combat, but I still think its an authentic ethnographic example that some Manding fellow carried for ceremony or whatever rather than just a tourist bring back . Other than the modern blade, the hilt and scabbard seem to be made with "native" technology.

As for the lack of edge, I know when you buy a south American machete they usually come without an edge. You're expected to put an edge on it yourself.

Jim McDougall · 29th September 2014, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blue lander

These are all very nice swords that are obviously antiques, but I still don't think my sword is all that bad. It isn't very old, its in rough shape and the blade was never used in combat, but I still think its an authentic ethnographic example that some Manding fellow carried for ceremony or whatever rather than just a tourist bring back . Other than the modern blade, the hilt and scabbard seem to be made with "native" technology.

As for the lack of edge, I know when you buy a south American machete they usually come without an edge. You're expected to put an edge on it yourself.

Exactly

Please read my post #14.

Kubur · 29th September 2014, 08:35 PM

Blue lander you have a very nice ethnographic sword from the 20 c.
For sure it is not a tourist piece!

spiral · 29th September 2014, 10:50 PM

For something to be defined as an arm does it not have to be an actual weapon?

For me it does but other well educated & serious collectors obviously disagree..

It would be interesting to hear views & opinions..

spiral

29th September 2014, 06:29 PM	#4
blue lander Member Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 456	These are all very nice swords that are obviously antiques, but I still don't think my sword is all that bad. It isn't very old, its in rough shape and the blade was never used in combat, but I still think its an authentic ethnographic example that some Manding fellow carried for ceremony or whatever rather than just a tourist bring back . Other than the modern blade, the hilt and scabbard seem to be made with "native" technology. As for the lack of edge, I know when you buy a south American machete they usually come without an edge. You're expected to put an edge on it yourself. Last edited by blue lander; 29th September 2014 at 06:50 PM.

25th September 2014, 09:27 AM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Most of the time they use springs of old trucks to do the blades. It is not an old sword. I will post later an old example with a military French blade of the end of 18th. Kubur

27th September 2014, 07:58 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,469	Kubur, exquisite blade of late 18th into 19th c. with Cassignard (Nantes) style decorative motif. It is always outstanding to find these kinds of vintage blades in these Manding sabres, which indeed typically were examples of French origin. Gav, thank you for adding these exemplars from the spectrum of sources often providing material for blades and various sword components in these colonial areas. In native and frontier contexts, recycling was absolutely necessary when not simply convenient. Countless numbers of these old blades circulated through these regions for more generations than we can imagine.

29th September 2014, 08:35 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Blue lander you have a very nice ethnographic sword from the 20 c. For sure it is not a tourist piece!

29th September 2014, 10:50 PM	#7
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	For something to be defined as an arm does it not have to be an actual weapon? For me it does but other well educated & serious collectors obviously disagree.. It would be interesting to hear views & opinions.. spiral