[RobertGuy]

I recently bought a job lot of four daggers at auction. I would like to share the first and invite comments and opinions.
The catalogue description was:
Sudanese knife. Double edged and slightly curved blades with etched script , Cyrillic writing. Bone double crossguard grip with central cord binding.

My stats are:
Weight: 11.3oz (0.32kg)
Length overall: 22.5'' (57cm) Blades: 9'' (23cm)
Profile taper: 1.5'' (4cm at ricasso, 1.25'' (3cm) mid blade, 0.75'' (2cm) 2inches from tip.
Distal taper 0.1'' (2.6mm) at ricasso, 0.09'' (2.4mm) at mid blade,. 0.09'' (2.2mm) 2 inches from tip.

I believe the script on the blade is Thuluth not Cyrillic but I have no idea about its content. I also think that the cord binding is a later addition probably to help keep the handle together as the bone seems badly cracked.

Any ideas about age? I was thinking late 19th century which could make it a Mahdist item, but are these still being produced for the tourist market?