A few pictures from the Sudan National Museum

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Edster

Martin/Iain,

The attached Tebu sword was purchased in Kartoum in 1986 and is "almost as new". While the grip is classic Tebu design, the blade reflects a different style: shorter, pointed and without the central rib. The blade is fairly thick and the piece is well balanced. Unfortunately, it now has a cut near the point that could reflect not the best heat treat. Maybe just a be "tourist piece" although there wasn't much of a tourist trade at the time. Never saw anyone carrying one so can't tell if it was made for the local market as well.

Regards,
Ed

Good to see you posting Ed. I've seen this basic style on various auctions over the last few years. My impression was that the vintage was much the same as your collection date. Anywhere from the 1970s on. Most had these fairly flat profile blades without the dramatic midrib. I would guess it's a fairly authentic style, as you say, not much tourism around at the time. I'll dig up a few older pieces from my photo archive for comparison.