Arabic script on blade

thinreadline · 19th March 2019, 08:55 PM

Can anyone give me an idea of what this blade decoration says , please ? Or is it simply decorative ?

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2019, 12:14 AM

This is thuluth script which was placed on Sudanese weapons during the rule of the Caliph in the Mahdiyya post 1885, and pre Omdurman (1898). These inscriptions were acid etched invocations and Quranic phrases which were placed in repetition in most cases on various tribal edged weapons. There were countless examples of these weapons not only from the field at Omdurman, but throughout these areas in these times.

thinreadline · 20th March 2019, 02:00 AM

Thanks Jim , much appreciated as always . I suspected as much as the script is very similar to other known Sudanese weapons of this period in my collection , but the beaded scabbard put me off , what is your opinion on the scabbard ...... here it is ...

Jim McDougall · 20th March 2019, 02:26 AM

On the scabbard I'd have to defer as the entire assembly and rehilting of old blade is pretty modern. With these kinds of adjustments its best left to those familiar with modern souvenir items in various African settings.

Always thought these acid etched blades were pretty fascinating and did some extensive research on them last year. It seems there were native forces assembled from numerous tribes and locales and their indigenous weapon types were often added into those of the Sudanese, and talismanic commonality imbued into the array.

thinreadline · 20th March 2019, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

On the scabbard I'd have to defer as the entire assembly and rehilting of old blade is pretty modern. With these kinds of adjustments its best left to those familiar with modern souvenir items in various African settings.

Always thought these acid etched blades were pretty fascinating and did some extensive research on them last year. It seems there were native forces assembled from numerous tribes and locales and their indigenous weapon types were often added into those of the Sudanese, and talismanic commonality imbued into the array.

Thanks Jim , much appreciated .

Kubur · 21st March 2019, 03:10 PM

One bit is readable, maybe Ibrahem can do it??

I agree with Jim most probably 1900 post-Omdurman.
Still good for me!

19th March 2019, 08:55 PM	#1
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Arabic script on blade Can anyone give me an idea of what this blade decoration says , please ? Or is it simply decorative ? Attached Images

20th March 2019, 02:00 AM	#3
thinreadline Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Wirral Posts: 1,204	Thanks Jim , much appreciated as always . I suspected as much as the script is very similar to other known Sudanese weapons of this period in my collection , but the beaded scabbard put me off , what is your opinion on the scabbard ...... here it is ... Attached Images

21st March 2019, 03:10 PM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	One bit is readable, maybe Ibrahem can do it?? I agree with Jim most probably 1900 post-Omdurman. Still good for me! Attached Images

20th March 2019, 12:14 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,944	This is thuluth script which was placed on Sudanese weapons during the rule of the Caliph in the Mahdiyya post 1885, and pre Omdurman (1898). These inscriptions were acid etched invocations and Quranic phrases which were placed in repetition in most cases on various tribal edged weapons. There were countless examples of these weapons not only from the field at Omdurman, but throughout these areas in these times.

20th March 2019, 02:26 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,944	On the scabbard I'd have to defer as the entire assembly and rehilting of old blade is pretty modern. With these kinds of adjustments its best left to those familiar with modern souvenir items in various African settings. Always thought these acid etched blades were pretty fascinating and did some extensive research on them last year. It seems there were native forces assembled from numerous tribes and locales and their indigenous weapon types were often added into those of the Sudanese, and talismanic commonality imbued into the array.