Fabulous Mausers 98 inspired sword

Jeff D · 6th September 2007, 06:19 AM

I hate to say it Lee, but, if this gets figured out it should replace the Takouba in the viking sword logo

. Ethnographic weapons don't get any better than this one.
Well done Tim!
Jeff

Jim McDougall · 6th September 2007, 07:00 AM

Well said Jeff!!!

Ethnographic sword mystery at its best. Cant wait to see if anybody comes up with some more ideas on this one.
Tim done good!
All the best,
Jim

Andrew · 6th September 2007, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff D

I hate to say it Lee, but, if this gets figured out it should replace the Takouba in the viking sword logo

. Ethnographic weapons don't get any better than this one.
Well done Tim!
Jeff

Blasphemy!

Berkley · 6th September 2007, 01:30 PM

Quote:

What is the weapon illustrated just above this one ? That too has a pretty interesting scabbard, and the beaked hilt is unusual. Looks like latter 19th century Mexican knives from Northern Mexico.

The hilt also looks like a stylized representation of a M1871 Mauser sword bayonet.

katana · 6th September 2007, 03:51 PM

Well done Tim....your winning bid matched my maximum so I never even got to be in the bidders list. After seeing your pictures ..I've been kicking myself for not bidding more. Excellent item,

it may be a good course of action to contact the Leeds Armoury. I seem to remember seeing a similar example in their collection (shown on TV) I tried to search their site prior to the auction but, there were problems on their web pages. If I had obtained the info I required I would certainly have put up a better 'fight' at auction.

OUCH !!! Just kicked myself .....again

Jim McDougall · 6th September 2007, 03:58 PM

Nicely done Berk!!! That looks like exactly what it is!
Tim where did that piece come from? Was it already in your collection?
It looks like Mauser may have had a native edged weapons manufacturing branch in South Central Africa!
Best Regards,
Jim

katana · 7th September 2007, 01:04 PM

Are we sure this is a representation of a German Rifle? The French Lebel 8mm model of 1886 is also very similar. Issued to the Foriegn Legion it could indicate North Africa. French Indo China could be a possibility, the sword does seem to have Asian characteristics

I would assume that the 'deception' of the sword being a rifle would only be effective if it was seen from distance...suggesting open spaces such as deserts etc. The 'enemy' would need to see the 'rifle' to be decieved in believing that you had 'fire power' which you do not actually have.

Tim Simmons · 7th September 2007, 04:57 PM

Very good point David, the Asian origin has been in my mind. I am happy to rule out North Africa as there is a strong history of gun making and trading there. Large parts of East Africa are desert, semi desert, savanna and grasslands so the distant viewing would figure there too. What makes me think it is from E Africa is that many peoples encountered by the Germans had not seen white people before and must have been in awe of there weapons. There may have been some use as a dummy but personally I tend to feel the likeness is more totemic and in a way similar to the mind set of South Seas cargo cults. There is also the similarity of styles and construction and the wood shown all seem to clearly African. It would be fantastic if other examples along these lines were to come out of the wood work but I doubt they will. I will more than happy to eat my words.

6th September 2007, 06:19 AM	#1
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	I hate to say it Lee, but, if this gets figured out it should replace the Takouba in the viking sword logo . Ethnographic weapons don't get any better than this one. Well done Tim! Jeff

6th September 2007, 07:00 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Well said Jeff!!! Ethnographic sword mystery at its best. Cant wait to see if anybody comes up with some more ideas on this one. Tim done good! All the best, Jim

6th September 2007, 03:51 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Well done Tim....your winning bid matched my maximum so I never even got to be in the bidders list. After seeing your pictures ..I've been kicking myself for not bidding more. Excellent item, it may be a good course of action to contact the Leeds Armoury. I seem to remember seeing a similar example in their collection (shown on TV) I tried to search their site prior to the auction but, there were problems on their web pages. If I had obtained the info I required I would certainly have put up a better 'fight' at auction. OUCH !!! Just kicked myself .....again

6th September 2007, 03:58 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Nicely done Berk!!! That looks like exactly what it is! Tim where did that piece come from? Was it already in your collection? It looks like Mauser may have had a native edged weapons manufacturing branch in South Central Africa! Best Regards, Jim

7th September 2007, 01:04 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Are we sure this is a representation of a German Rifle? The French Lebel 8mm model of 1886 is also very similar. Issued to the Foriegn Legion it could indicate North Africa. French Indo China could be a possibility, the sword does seem to have Asian characteristics I would assume that the 'deception' of the sword being a rifle would only be effective if it was seen from distance...suggesting open spaces such as deserts etc. The 'enemy' would need to see the 'rifle' to be decieved in believing that you had 'fire power' which you do not actually have.

7th September 2007, 04:57 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Very good point David, the Asian origin has been in my mind. I am happy to rule out North Africa as there is a strong history of gun making and trading there. Large parts of East Africa are desert, semi desert, savanna and grasslands so the distant viewing would figure there too. What makes me think it is from E Africa is that many peoples encountered by the Germans had not seen white people before and must have been in awe of there weapons. There may have been some use as a dummy but personally I tend to feel the likeness is more totemic and in a way similar to the mind set of South Seas cargo cults. There is also the similarity of styles and construction and the wood shown all seem to clearly African. It would be fantastic if other examples along these lines were to come out of the wood work but I doubt they will. I will more than happy to eat my words.