North or West African dagger for ID

[Martin Lubojacky]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Its a pity there isn't more interest in African and Oceanic weapons etc. on the forum

Hi Colin,

The interest in African Arms is a "little bit" lower then in Asian ones, in this forum, but still - the interest is (one shouldn´t be too quick ...).

I saw several attributions to West Afrika (Baule, also if I remember well Sierra Leone ?), nevertheless by collectors only (nothing "in book" I think). Small ("utility") knives are not as known as a big ones. Example could be small straight daggers/knives (blade ca 13 cms) used in Afar region by camel herders

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

Example could be small straight daggers/knives (blade ca 13 cms) used in Afar region by camel herders

Hello Martin,

so you think it could be an East African dagger?

Regards,
Detlef

[Martin Lubojacky]

I think as others - West African. (This Afar herders was an example of another not too much known knife)

[Miguel]

Hi Detlef,
I seem to becoming obsessed with trying to pin point the origin of this knife. Is it possible to provide clearer pics as my eyes aren't to good these days. Could you also confirm the construction of th hilt i.e. Just wood or leather covered wood, material of plaited band around centre of hilt also materials of scabbard and the decorated band.s at the chapel and throat, sorry to be such a pest
Regards
Miguel

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Miguel

I seem to becoming obsessed with trying to pin point the origin of this knife. Is it possible to provide clearer pics as my eyes aren't to good these days. Could you also confirm the construction of th hilt i.e. Just wood or leather covered wood, material of plaited band around centre of hilt also materials of scabbard and the decorated band.s at the chapel and throat, sorry to be such a pest

Hi Miguel,
like you I would like to know from where this dagger coming. So you can't be a pest! I will post better pictures with many close ups soon as I have it in my hands, the seller was a little bit circular but it's on the way to me and will be next week here. But I think both, scabbard and handle are wood covered with leather and in up and down from scabbard and in the middle from the handle is sewn lizard or snake leather with sinew, that's what I think to see. But I will describe it again when I have examined it.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi Detlef,

the small sewn on pieces of leather are neither lizard, nor snake. It is sting-ray skin.
Best
Martin

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

..the small sewn on pieces of leather are neither lizard, nor snake. It is sting-ray skin.

Hi Martin,

thank you for correction!

Regards,
Detlef

[Miguel]

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Miguel,
like you I would like to know from where this dagger coming. So you can't be a pest! I will post better pictures with many close ups soon as I have it in my hands, the seller was a little bit circular but it's on the way to me and will be next week here. But I think both, scabbard and handle are wood covered with leather and in up and down from scabbard and in the middle from the handle is sewn lizard or snake leather with sinew, that's what I think to see. But I will describe it again when I have examined it.

Best regards,
Detlef

Hi Detlef, Looking forward to your pics, thanks.
Rega do
Miguel

[Sajen]

In the meanwhile I've received the dagger and it's worked like supposed, the white spots on the scabbard has been wall paint, I was able to remove it unvisible. Ca. 33 cm inside scabbard, 31,5 cm without, handle 10,5 cm long.
It's a very nice worked small dagger, maybe not extremely old or early collected in a very nice condition after it has received a little bit TLC.
Here the promised pictures. Still hope that the exact origin can get identified.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

I think as others - West African. (This Afar herders was an example of another not too much known knife)

Thank you Martin, now I understand what you have meant! Thank you again.

Regards,
Detlef