AUCTION PREVIEWS

Just a few lines in comment on page 15 of the January 2021 issue (which, as always, was much appreciated). My motive is to point out an error which mislead other readers. The final item of WWII at Piers Motley is said to comprise a WWI French machete (sold at £57.39). In fact, the photograph shows a short sword as used (and still used) by

the Maasai tribe of East Africa, and other tribes such as Samburu and Rendille. It is known as a simi. For many years theses were usually cut down from Britishexported agricultural machetes, with the hilt fashioned of wood but reinforced with rawhide by the converter.

Popular export brands were Crocodile and Steamer and I think Crocodile are still made today. That said, Chines machetes (known as pangas) may have captured the market.

It is possible that a pre1914 settler to a simi into the trenches but judging by the condition of the sheath it is probably a tourist piece – quite common even 40 years ago, when I worked in East Africa.

Charles Kewin, Llanrwst

Ed says: Many thanks for spotting this Charles. We are, of course, reliant upon the descriptions of items by the auction houses themselves being accurate. Something else to be aware of is that while there are photos of all items discussed in the copy, there is often not space to print all of them. That’s not the case here.