The Manding or Mandingo are a West African people found in Mali and the neighbouring countries. Their traditional sword comprises a sabre-like blade, often of European origin with a guardless leather and brass hilt.
The blade on this particular sword appears to be from a Prussian 1811 pattern “Blucher” cavalry sabre. It is likely that the blade was traded with the Mandingo people once this type of sabre had been replaced in Germany with a newer pattern.
The curved blade has a wide, shallow fuller on both sides and a flat spine. The blade is 45mm wide along its length tapering over the last 8 cm to a spear point. The ricasso of the blade was incorporated into the “new” hilt by being wrapped in leather. The blade measures 760mm in length with the sword’s total length being 950mm.
The Mandingo used leather wrapped wood to re-hilt the tang of the original sabre and finished it with their characteristic turned brass pommel. The grip leather is in good condition and the blade is firm in the hilt.
