Sudan, stiletto, T section

katana · 5th November 2006, 06:34 PM

Very nice Tim....looks like a European Dirk.....could it be 19c or earlier....later to be 'Africanised' and acid etched with the script?
Wondering whether this could be from the Mahdist era? Or is my imagination running away with me ....again

HUSAR · 5th November 2006, 07:29 PM

hello
I`m not an expert in this area at all

but maybe it is a combination from european bayonet? I have one indo-persian spear made in this way.
Best
Husar

Tim Simmons · 5th November 2006, 08:04 PM

Yes it is made from a socket type of bayonet. In real life it is quite easy to see the soceket part of the bayonet protruding from the skin at the end of the handle.

HUSAR · 5th November 2006, 08:23 PM

NICE dagger

katana · 5th November 2006, 08:28 PM

Hi Tim, the socket must have been 'straightened out' to be 'inline' with the blade....or cut and re-attached....Here is a picture of a British Martini Enfield pattern 1876/95 Egyptian bayonet. The Martini was the usual issue in Sudan at the time of Gordon. Seems likely to be the donor for your dagger.

Tim Simmons · 5th November 2006, 08:55 PM

This dagger has been made from the top section of the type of bayonet that you post. There is a metal tube that makes the basis for the grip. I can not tell if that is also part of the original bayonet. The tube is filled with a hard black substance formed to a dome at the end of the handle. It appears that some kind of tang has been peened over on top of the dome. I will investigate further tomorrow.

katana · 6th November 2006, 12:15 AM

It makes sense that the tube was cut off. If the 'socket' (of the bayonet)was to be bent down ....(so as to be straight to the blade)....it would need high localised heat which would affect the temper of the blade....almost certainly to its detriment.

5th November 2006, 06:34 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Very nice Tim....looks like a European Dirk.....could it be 19c or earlier....later to be 'Africanised' and acid etched with the script? Wondering whether this could be from the Mahdist era? Or is my imagination running away with me ....again Last edited by katana; 5th November 2006 at 07:41 PM.

5th November 2006, 08:28 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Tim, the socket must have been 'straightened out' to be 'inline' with the blade....or cut and re-attached....Here is a picture of a British Martini Enfield pattern 1876/95 Egyptian bayonet. The Martini was the usual issue in Sudan at the time of Gordon. Seems likely to be the donor for your dagger. Attached Images

5th November 2006, 07:29 PM	#2
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	hello I`m not an expert in this area at all but maybe it is a combination from european bayonet? I have one indo-persian spear made in this way. Best Husar

5th November 2006, 08:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Yes it is made from a socket type of bayonet. In real life it is quite easy to see the soceket part of the bayonet protruding from the skin at the end of the handle.

5th November 2006, 08:23 PM	#4
HUSAR Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Poland Posts: 80	NICE dagger

5th November 2006, 08:55 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	This dagger has been made from the top section of the type of bayonet that you post. There is a metal tube that makes the basis for the grip. I can not tell if that is also part of the original bayonet. The tube is filled with a hard black substance formed to a dome at the end of the handle. It appears that some kind of tang has been peened over on top of the dome. I will investigate further tomorrow.

6th November 2006, 12:15 AM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	It makes sense that the tube was cut off. If the 'socket' (of the bayonet)was to be bent down ....(so as to be straight to the blade)....it would need high localised heat which would affect the temper of the blade....almost certainly to its detriment.