Interesting knife w/sheath (Hand made-Sheath made of skin)

goldkey · Oct 18, 2014

Picked this up at a yard sale this morning. Lady said it had belonged to her father-in-law and she didn't know anything about it.
I could see that it was hand made from some type of skin. Leather strap still has hair on it. Handle is also skin covered.
Someone had sharpened it...cuts paper easily. Anyone know how to find out it's origin? I'll be searching the net for any info I can find.
The blade has only one little marking on it...see pic. Knife measures 20-1/2" total length....handle is 5-1/2"

mkulltra · Oct 18, 2014

20 inches...That's not a knife...that's a sword!

diggummup · Oct 18, 2014

For taking the heads off of zombies... :tongue3:

I've seen a lot of knives and cutting tools but i've never seen one quite like this. Thought for a second maybe an old cane knife, but I don't think so.

bottles10 · Oct 18, 2014

I am guessing . Something brought back from word war 2. Native made. Interesting piece.Hope some one come up with something on it.

mojjax · Oct 18, 2014

Nice !

I'm thinking , maybe South Pacific islands .

bigcaddy64 · Oct 18, 2014

mojjax said:
Nice !

I'm thinking , maybe South Pacific islands .

I was thinking the Phillipines or something near there. It could be tourist market or something pretty old. I'm sure somebody will know

diggummup · Oct 19, 2014

I found 2 that recently sold at a local auction. They were listed a Native American trade knives. How accurate that information is, I don't know. Personally i'm still not convinced, yet. I still can't find any other examples but these two at the same auction and yours of course.
January 21st Gun, Coin, Antique & Collectible Auction

LOT #313 - Primitive Native American Rawhide Trade Knife
and a smaller one-
LOT #167 - Primitive Native American Rawhide Trade Knife

goldkey · Oct 19, 2014

I found some info this morning on it. Seems to come from the African Masai/Maasai tribe. I found the examples pictured.
The one picture shows a Masai Warrior wearing a similar sword. They seem to love the color red!! and....Jumping up in the air.