African Tribal Arm dagger .... possibly WW2 ?

roanoa · 8th February 2007, 01:19 AM

Here are a couple of pictures of the writing on my dagger. The fish drawing is puzzling... but does not need a translation. I do need someone who can read Arabic to tell me about the rest. I can make out that one of the writing is a date. No idea about the rest. Help, anyone?

roanoa · 8th February 2007, 06:04 AM

Guess all I had to do was to Google "Arabic Numbers" to find out that the date is 1945. So, that makes me think that it was probably sold in Karthum to soldiers going home after WWII wanting to take an African souvenir with them.

katana · 9th February 2007, 09:09 PM

I've been gently cleaning the handle of the dagger and have had a very nice surprise.....the 'creamy white' sections are IVORY

There are Lines of Retzius visible (under magnification) on the top surface of the top section of the handle.

The Lines of Retzius....
These fine intersecting lines are visible in cross section, and give an engine-turned effect (intersecting lines with a diamond shape between them) which is unique to elephant ivory.

On Tim's 'rate of exchange' this cost me a little more than a 'fish supper'......and that included delivery

8th February 2007, 01:19 AM	#1
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Here are a couple of pictures of the writing on my dagger. The fish drawing is puzzling... but does not need a translation. I do need someone who can read Arabic to tell me about the rest. I can make out that one of the writing is a date. No idea about the rest. Help, anyone? Attached Images

8th February 2007, 06:04 AM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Guess all I had to do was to Google "Arabic Numbers" to find out that the date is 1945. So, that makes me think that it was probably sold in Karthum to soldiers going home after WWII wanting to take an African souvenir with them.

9th February 2007, 09:09 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I've been gently cleaning the handle of the dagger and have had a very nice surprise.....the 'creamy white' sections are IVORY There are Lines of Retzius visible (under magnification) on the top surface of the top section of the handle. The Lines of Retzius.... These fine intersecting lines are visible in cross section, and give an engine-turned effect (intersecting lines with a diamond shape between them) which is unique to elephant ivory. On Tim's 'rate of exchange' this cost me a little more than a 'fish supper'......and that included delivery