Unusual Arab Islamic African sword with inscription

A.alnakkas · 6th December 2010, 01:37 PM

most beautiful.

the first picture inscription is a verse from the Quran commonly used on swords, it says "victory from God is near, so bring the good tidings of heaven to the believers, O Mohammed"

the last picture inscription says ".... alsultan Ali Dinar" first word is unreadable atm.

the bottom inscription says " .... alsultan .... 3 . 9" the dots are words/numbers i couldnt read.

remarkable piece

Iain · 6th December 2010, 02:50 PM

Well that might break it open... If someone can read the date I'd bet this could be a reference to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur (1856-1916).

RSWORD · 6th December 2010, 07:05 PM

A. Alnakkas, thank you for the translation assistance. This provides a very interesting potential insight into this sword. Iain, I agree, if the date will correspond, this very well could be a sword or something gifted, to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur. This would definitely tie together the influences I am seeing in this sword. Sounds like I need to clean up the blade a bit around the inscription so it is fully legible. Will work on that over the next couple of days. I have also noticed an inscription on the leather on the handle. While more difficult to photograph I need to add it to the discussion as well.

RSWORD · 8th December 2010, 01:39 AM

I cleaned up the inscription area so that it is hopefully more legible now. I also got the best picture of an inscription on the leather on the handle.

I am surprised I haven't had more thoughts/comments about this piece. I would appreciate any thoughts about the cross cultural influences found in this piece. Also, the inscription has some interesting potential with the Sultan Ali Dinar reference.

A.alnakkas · 8th December 2010, 12:15 PM

hello!

the inscription says (top one first) "mulk alsultan Ali Dinar" it means: owned by the Sultan Ali Dinar. the bottom one says "ibn alsultan Zaid?" it means: son of the Sultan Zaid. but am not sure of the last word is Zaid or not.

A.Alnakkas

RSWORD · 8th December 2010, 03:21 PM

Hello Abdullatif. Could the second inscription be "ibn alSultan Zakariya". According to some online research, the father of Sultan Ali Dinar was Zakariya. Now, the question begs is whether or not this is actually a sword owned by Sultan Ali Dinar or not? Is anyone familiar enough with him to know of his familial backgrounds? I am still curious on the cross cultural influences I am seeing in this piece. I guess with the inscription this would place the piece circa 1898-1916? Jim? Stephen? I know you guys have done a lot of research in this region. Any thoughts?

A.alnakkas · 8th December 2010, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RSWORD

Hello Abdullatif. Could the second inscription be "ibn alSultan Zakariya". According to some online research, the father of Sultan Ali Dinar was Zakariya. Now, the question begs is whether or not this is actually a sword owned by Sultan Ali Dinar or not? Is anyone familiar enough with him to know of his familial backgrounds? I am still curious on the cross cultural influences I am seeing in this piece. I guess with the inscription this would place the piece circa 1898-1916? Jim? Stephen? I know you guys have done a lot of research in this region. Any thoughts?

thats correct! it is Zakariya, explains alot

8th December 2010, 01:39 AM	#4
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	I cleaned up the inscription area so that it is hopefully more legible now. I also got the best picture of an inscription on the leather on the handle. I am surprised I haven't had more thoughts/comments about this piece. I would appreciate any thoughts about the cross cultural influences found in this piece. Also, the inscription has some interesting potential with the Sultan Ali Dinar reference. Attached Images

6th December 2010, 01:37 PM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	most beautiful. the first picture inscription is a verse from the Quran commonly used on swords, it says "victory from God is near, so bring the good tidings of heaven to the believers, O Mohammed" the last picture inscription says ".... alsultan Ali Dinar" first word is unreadable atm. the bottom inscription says " .... alsultan .... 3 . 9" the dots are words/numbers i couldnt read. remarkable piece

6th December 2010, 02:50 PM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	Well that might break it open... If someone can read the date I'd bet this could be a reference to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur (1856-1916).

6th December 2010, 07:05 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	A. Alnakkas, thank you for the translation assistance. This provides a very interesting potential insight into this sword. Iain, I agree, if the date will correspond, this very well could be a sword or something gifted, to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur. This would definitely tie together the influences I am seeing in this sword. Sounds like I need to clean up the blade a bit around the inscription so it is fully legible. Will work on that over the next couple of days. I have also noticed an inscription on the leather on the handle. While more difficult to photograph I need to add it to the discussion as well.

8th December 2010, 12:15 PM	#5
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	hello! the inscription says (top one first) "mulk alsultan Ali Dinar" it means: owned by the Sultan Ali Dinar. the bottom one says "ibn alsultan Zaid?" it means: son of the Sultan Zaid. but am not sure of the last word is Zaid or not. A.Alnakkas

8th December 2010, 03:21 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,086	Hello Abdullatif. Could the second inscription be "ibn alSultan Zakariya". According to some online research, the father of Sultan Ali Dinar was Zakariya. Now, the question begs is whether or not this is actually a sword owned by Sultan Ali Dinar or not? Is anyone familiar enough with him to know of his familial backgrounds? I am still curious on the cross cultural influences I am seeing in this piece. I guess with the inscription this would place the piece circa 1898-1916? Jim? Stephen? I know you guys have done a lot of research in this region. Any thoughts?