Short sword West Africa

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Interested Party

Interesting. I had never noticed it before but there are several stylistic similarities, particularly in Detlef's examples #1 and #3 from left, with the Brazilian foca de ponta. Notably the bulbous pommel, over all profile, and the decorations on the ricasso.

You are correct, these daggers are very similar in their design, Wolf-Dieter Miersch has this dagger on his page: https://african-weapons.com/gallery?...m-mali-39-2-cm
I've pointed out years ago that this dagger is Brazilian and informed Wolf-Dieter so he changed the description.

Regards,
Detlef

[Pertinax]

Mandingo dagger and Brazilian foca de ponta are very similar.

Perhaps the Mandingo, who were enslaved and ended up in Brazil, began producing daggers there.

[Interested Party]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

Perhaps the Mandingo, who were enslaved and ended up in Brazil, began producing daggers there.

My thoughts exactly. Here is an, not that old in my opinion, example that was for sale recently. Check out the flair on the sheath al la kaskara and if I remember correctly some west African short swords as well.

[Sajen]

I think it's more of a coincidental similarity. Handle construction, ferrule and also the ricasso (if any) show differences.

Compare with three 19th century examples from my collection.

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Sajen

I think it's more of a coincidental similarity. Handle construction, ferrule and also the ricasso (if any) show differences.

Compare with three 19th century examples from my collection.

Perhaps this is a coincidental similarity.

But in any case, the tribes that fell into slavery and ended up in other countries brought with them their culture and customs.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Pertinax

But in any case, the tribes that fell into slavery and ended up in other countries brought with them their culture and customs.

Certainly!

[Interested Party]

The OP dagger/sword is nice! How is the balance? Did it have a chape originally to cover the textile bulb on the bottom of the sheath?