Origins of the Mandinka saber

[Iain]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Often the straight swords I have seen from this region with the same type hilts, do not have a scabbard with a flared tip, even though so much else about the scabbard is the same.

Correct, although I've seen a few flared as well.

On the flip side I've seen several curved examples also lacking the flair. Doesn't seem to be a hard rule for any particular configuration.