AFRICAN MAASAI 19th CENTURY SEME SWORD

This is an authentic Maasai Seme sword dating ca.1880-1900. Grip is wrapped in buffalo hide, which has hardened from time and wear and acquired a dark color. Heavy 55 cm-long blade is of traditional shape, rhomboid in cross-section, with four concave sides and a central ridge. Blade has some battle damage on one of the edges. Traditional red-painted hide scabbard has mild wear, and the red paint has deep brown-red patina. This is an honest Maasai sword dating to the British Colonial Wars in Eastern Africa.