Unusual African Broadsword

stephen wood · 24th October 2008, 12:47 AM

...very interesting. I have students from Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Senegal - maybe it's time I did a show and tell with some of my pieces

The triple-fullered trade blades must have been archaic by European standards in the 19th century - were Solingen makers producing them for this (considerable) niche market?

Jim McDougall · 24th October 2008, 01:32 AM

Hi Stephen,
The Solingen swordsmiths were probably one of the most dynamic manufacturing and marketing machines in the history of commerce in my opinion. They became dominant in the production of blades that were indeed tailored to whatever market they were intended for.

In "Book of the Sword" (R.Burton, 1884, p.162) it is noted that Henry Barth ("Travels in Central Africa 1849-1855", London, 1875) states that "...the blade, made mostly in Solingen, characterizes the free and noble Imoshagh; and all travellers remark that it preserves the old knightly form of crusading days". It is footnoted by Burton that English and Styrian 'razors' are also largely imported.
Other resources also confirm that German blades were still coming into the trade network in the 19th century, while many earlier blades, constantly traded and remounted were prevalent across North Africa.

The fact that these broadswords, by European standards of the time, and that these North African warriors still wore chain link armour, led to the much romaticized myths about these being the weapons of the Crusaders.

I think show and tell would be a great idea!! I used to work with a number of folks from various African countries, and enjoyed talking with them about where they were from. Their eyes would light up with joy and pride when they realized I was so interested in their countries and that I knew much of the history, pleasing them very much.

All the best,
Jim

stephen wood · 30th October 2008, 06:03 PM

...come to think of it, the blade would not be out of place on a Scots basket hilt - German trade blades hilted locally and sold on to tribal people...

Jim McDougall · 31st October 2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen wood

...come to think of it, the blade would not be out of place on a Scots basket hilt - German trade blades hilted locally and sold on to tribal people...

Well observed Stephen.....the incredible German sword blade machine indeed produced blades for international clientele, and it is well established that virtually all the blades on Scottish baskethilts were 'Grosse Schotten' , the heavy broadsword blades for the Scots. The age of the true Scottish basket hilt however came to a close with the tragic '45 (the Scottish Jacobite Rebellion of 1745), and the proscription of all Scottish weaponry....even the stirring bagpipes!!!

Best regards,
Jim

stephen wood · 31st October 2008, 04:47 PM

...I took the sword in to show some of my students - a man from Guinea whose first language is Bambara had seen the type before and he called it a sabre (French pronunciation) and said that they are worn on a sling over the arm, that is, like a kaskara. This is consistent with the fact that it is a very good fit in the scabbard so doesn't mind being upside-down and the fact that you can see the marks where rings or loops were attached. They are said to be ceremonial - this one is not sharpened - and are used as wall-hangers.

I imagine it may originally have been decorated as per curved Manding swords - there appears to be a very worn maker's mark - maybe a knight's head (Kirschbaum?) - but this might be a patch of wear in the place where we would expect to find one - after a little cleaning I will post an image...

Jim McDougall · 31st October 2008, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephen wood

...I took the sword in to show some of my students - a man from Guinea whose first language is Bambara had seen the type before and he called it a sabre (French pronunciation) and said that they are worn on a sling over the arm, that is, like a kaskara. This is consistent with the fact that it is a very good fit in the scabbard so doesn't mind being upside-down and the fact that you can see the marks where rings or loops were attached. They are said to be ceremonial - this one is not sharpened - and are used as wall-hangers.

I imagine it may originally have been decorated as per curved Manding swords - there appears to be a very worn maker's mark - maybe a knight's head (Kirschbaum?) - but this might be a patch of wear in the place where we would expect to find one - after a little cleaning I will post an image...

That is excellent Stephen!! and it is exciting to hear of the interaction with students from these fascinating regions viewing a weapon from those very regions!
It is also especially interesting to hear from someone from Guinea, and his perspective. I once had a very good friend who was of Fulani tribe and lived in Guinea. He too recognized the Manding swords of the curved sabre form and termed them something like 'kota' or similar word in his language (though he of course also spoke French). These swords were invariably mounted with French sabre blades, so it would make sense that the term 'sabre' would become collectively used in reference to 'sword'.
This is a prevalent situation for example with the Arabian sa'if, which means sword, and is seen applied to any number of swords from Moroccan 'nimchas' to Sudanese 'kaskaras'.

The swords described by your student as being worn on the arm, if I understand correctly, may actually be a straight blade sword much like this, and from Mandara and associated tribes in Cameroon near the Nigerian border. While they are similar in having no guard, and a simple hilt with a type of peaked pommel, they may well have been known in Guinea, and as noted, strikingly similar to this West African sword with apparant Manding mounts.

If your student is suggesting these Manding swords were worn on the arm in the manner of these Cameroon Mandara swords I would say that though the appearance is similar, these Manding swords were not worn on the arm to my knowledge.
Although the Mandara blades worn on the arm are of considerable length, they are not nearly as long as this 'kaskara' blade would be at full length (usually about 33-36").

The kaskara of the Sudan is often worn in a scabbard over the warriors back, or slung tightly under the arm, but never on the arm. Thus perhaps by 'in a sling over the arm' your student refers to the tight underarm sling, not the armband mount....would that be correct?

I think it is great that you are bringing weapons into study, as I think they are incredibly important icons of culture, tradition and history that should be considered for the subtle artistic symbolism and features they carry rather than the grim, violent connotation often suggested. Most ethnographic weapons have become elements of traditional dress and accoutrement in modern times, and this perspective should take precedence.

All best regards,
Jim

kahnjar1 · 31st October 2008, 11:11 PM

Not that I am that knowledgeable about broadswords, or for that matter swords in general, I see a DEFINATE similarily between this sword and the Omani Katarra. The hilt particularly is almost identical.
I have seen continental blades on MANY Ethiopian swords and in fact if you go to www.ancient-east.com/collection many of these are shown.

31st October 2008, 04:47 PM	#5
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...I took the sword in to show some of my students - a man from Guinea whose first language is Bambara had seen the type before and he called it a sabre (French pronunciation) and said that they are worn on a sling over the arm, that is, like a kaskara. This is consistent with the fact that it is a very good fit in the scabbard so doesn't mind being upside-down and the fact that you can see the marks where rings or loops were attached. They are said to be ceremonial - this one is not sharpened - and are used as wall-hangers. I imagine it may originally have been decorated as per curved Manding swords - there appears to be a very worn maker's mark - maybe a knight's head (Kirschbaum?) - but this might be a patch of wear in the place where we would expect to find one - after a little cleaning I will post an image... Last edited by stephen wood; 31st October 2008 at 07:41 PM.

24th October 2008, 12:47 AM	#1
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...very interesting. I have students from Burkina Faso, Mali, Guinea, Senegal - maybe it's time I did a show and tell with some of my pieces The triple-fullered trade blades must have been archaic by European standards in the 19th century - were Solingen makers producing them for this (considerable) niche market?

24th October 2008, 01:32 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,295	Hi Stephen, The Solingen swordsmiths were probably one of the most dynamic manufacturing and marketing machines in the history of commerce in my opinion. They became dominant in the production of blades that were indeed tailored to whatever market they were intended for. In "Book of the Sword" (R.Burton, 1884, p.162) it is noted that Henry Barth ("Travels in Central Africa 1849-1855", London, 1875) states that "...the blade, made mostly in Solingen, characterizes the free and noble Imoshagh; and all travellers remark that it preserves the old knightly form of crusading days". It is footnoted by Burton that English and Styrian 'razors' are also largely imported. Other resources also confirm that German blades were still coming into the trade network in the 19th century, while many earlier blades, constantly traded and remounted were prevalent across North Africa. The fact that these broadswords, by European standards of the time, and that these North African warriors still wore chain link armour, led to the much romaticized myths about these being the weapons of the Crusaders. I think show and tell would be a great idea!! I used to work with a number of folks from various African countries, and enjoyed talking with them about where they were from. Their eyes would light up with joy and pride when they realized I was so interested in their countries and that I knew much of the history, pleasing them very much. All the best, Jim

30th October 2008, 06:03 PM	#3
stephen wood Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 227	...come to think of it, the blade would not be out of place on a Scots basket hilt - German trade blades hilted locally and sold on to tribal people...

31st October 2008, 11:11 PM	#7
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,789	Not that I am that knowledgeable about broadswords, or for that matter swords in general, I see a DEFINATE similarily between this sword and the Omani Katarra. The hilt particularly is almost identical. I have seen continental blades on MANY Ethiopian swords and in fact if you go to www.ancient-east.com/collection many of these are shown.