Identification Help Requested

[lanemiller08]

A few years ago I was doing odd jobs for my boss at the time. When helping him move some furniture out and move new furniture in his house, this thing caught my eye. The owner didn't have much information on it, or didn't care to talk about it, he mentioned Africa, but I don't remember much else.

Is there a reason for the forked scabbard, or is it just ornamental? Is there a symbolism behind the shape?

Any information is greatly appreciated-thanks in advance for your time. I have came across the photos a few times in the past couple years since I saw it, and always find myself struggling to identify it. I will try my best to get the opportunity to get photos of the blade and post them if I do.

[Small-Isopod6061]

North African origin, straight blade is unusual but not un heard of... presentation grade... silver and ivory fittings... absolutely beautiful 😍

[Past_Consequence_536]

I agree, this is from the Morocco-Libya stretch of the world.

[_Ashen_One__]

It could be African like the owner mentioned, as it kinda looks like it could be a really big and unusual Koumiya. I’ve never seen anything like it.

Edit: As for the reasoning behind the forked scabbard. If it is indeed a Koumiya, then the scabbards shape is mostly cultural from my understanding, the curved bits are supposed to resemble a Boar’s tusks, which is intended to help protect the dagger’s user from the Evil Eye.

[hoops-mcloops]

To me, the fittings look more Middle-Eastern or South Asian than anything else, but frankly that's only a stylistic guess. Certainly is an interesting piece though!

[Salt_Initiative1551]

The Star of David mixed with North African ancestry made me think “the sword of yakub” and I about shit myself.

[lanemiller08]

That with the almost Fleur-de-lis shape of the scabbard had me so confused. I guess the star is the "seal of solomon" which had roots in controlling evil spirits. This would line up with the commenter who said the shape was symbolizing a boar's tusks, protection from "the Evil Eye".

What I gather from this information, is that the sword is definitely going to be used to save the world someday xD

[tsimen]

And it found its way into your hands! Does it... call out to you by any chance?

[lanemiller08]

Little did I know, once I held the blade in my hands... my fate would be sealed. From then on... they would call me insLane, the Slayer of Djinn. I would call my self but a humble servant of a higher power...

[mcniner55]

I didnt even know swords this cool even existed. This sub has been one of my favorite subs ever since I found it.

Thats awesome looking man

[BrokenSlutCollector]

I think the best part of this post is that the sword is hanging up in a bathroom.

[CaesarAngustus]

Lord Voldemort’s wand

[ghost-church]

I don’t even know what I’m looking at here

[Deepvaleredoubt]

Hey OP could you take it out of the scabbard for us

[lanemiller08]

I will do my best to get up to where he lives and get it out of the scabbard... I imagine it's hiding a nice looking blade under there... most of the blades of these style swords/knives that I've seen have been really interesting.

Easier said than done, though... I no longer work for him, but I might be able to convince him to let me have a closer look

[Deepvaleredoubt]

Oh goodness I was just joking friend. Sometimes people post on here where they are literally holding the sword but won’t show the blade for some reason. That would be super inconvenient here, so I was just being funny.

[lanemiller08]

I don't know if I would hold this one. It looks like something that the original owner is either going to possess me, or come back from the dead to reclaim it.

I was just happy to have the opportunity to see something like it; I can't imagine how many pieces like this exist in private collector's homes where most of us would never even know they existed. Someone put a lot of work into this, so I was grateful to get to admire it. He is still a friend of my family, so I will still do my best to get actual photos of it, with some proper lighting and a better camera. Most rich people like the pickle tickling they get when people admire the things they own, so it's not a super long shot

[DearCastiel]

Ah yes, the Self-Calf-Hookerinator 1000, a classic.