Pair of symmetrical knives
Wongo / Colonial Uganda, Uganda
Forged iron, wood
1894 - 1962

The larger blade is a traditional Phoogo Ya Kusa short sword from the Wongo, with its original handle, dating from the early 20th century. The smaller piece is a British-manufactured blade, imported from England to Uganda during the colonial period, and reforged by a Ugandan blacksmith to resemble the traditional Wongo style (with an added traditional handle to boot). The smaller blade wears the Ralph Martindale stamp (a crocodile) and "Made in England." The Martindale blade's handle shows significant age and wood oxidation, which suggests it comes from the earlier colonial period. You can see the Martindale crocodile here. I have only seen a few comparable Martindale re-forged pieces.

Ex. Andrew Kopf

18 in :: 46 cm

InventoryID #13-921

SOLD