Kondo (sickle-sword)
Datelate 1800s–early 1900s
Mediumiron, copper, wood
Dimensions82 × 19 × 6 cm (32 5/16 × 7 1/2 × 2 3/8 in.)
Weight: 1 lb. 6 oz.
Weight: 1 lb. 6 oz.
ClassificationsArms and Armor
Credit LineThe John Woodman Higgins Armory Collection
Object number2014.96
DescriptionCurved blade ending in a pointed tip, sharpened only on inside of curve, lightly serrated along back edge. Short swelling at tip on outside of curve. Mushroom shaped projection on inside edge near the grip. Outside curve of the mushroom is serrated like the back edge; underside has been cut out by chiseling. Obverse with geometric chiseled decoration running full length. Reverse face is mostly plain, with a central rib running the length of the blade, ending near the grip with a section of chiseled decoration similar to that on the obverse. Elongated oval hole with chiseled edges cut into center of ricasso parallel to blade axis.
Wooden hilt wrapped with copper wire around lower portion of slightly flattened oval grip which narrows before flaring into a mushroom-shaped pommel. Tang hammered over at end to secure the grip, forming a small loop securing a fragment of what may have been a leather lanyard.
Label TextWeapons of this type are sometimes misleadingly referred to as "throwing knives" or "African boomerangs." The shape of this sword does echo traditional throwing sticks used in hunting and warfare, and the knob near the base of the blade may be a vestigial remnant of a long, sharp projection found on versions of the "throwing knife" which may actually have been intended for throwing. Nonetheless, the solid grip on this example suggests that it was intended to be firmly held by the wielder. The variants in this family of weapons are innumerable, and their purposes are not always clear. Some are known to have been used in combat, but ritual and ceremonial purposes are also common, and some "throwing knives" were actually used as currency. This sword is sharpened only on the inside curve and tip. Many African swords have similar arcing profiles, which would have allowed them to be used as piercing weapons to attack around the shields typically carried by warriors in Africa.ProvenanceOn permanent loan from Andover Newton Theological School (Andover, MA) on 22 March 1946; a formal gift from the school on 22 September 1999. Collection transfer from Higgins Armory, January 2014.
On View
Not on view
dated 1805-1806, blade probably 1700s
Southern German
about 1550
