19th century, probably dating to the 1875 war in north Sierra Leone in which the Mandingo under Samori Ture defeated and displaces the Limba. Alex Haley, in his book Roots, describes Kunta Kinte as “born in the Mandinka (Mandingo) village of Juffure). 25” curved European import blade which accords with Samori Ture’s purchase of European muskets for the war. Red leather wrapped hilt with banded spherical bronze pommel. Hide scabbard with alternating segments of red leather and hide, one bare and one with the hair on. Worn from use, but unusually sound and complete as these are ordinarily encountered in poor condition.
