Sudanese arm dagger for comment
 

Today I have won this dagger: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Great-Qualit...vip=true&rt=nc
I think that it is an arm dagger from Sudan. There was once a thread where Lew has shown his beautiful collection which let me want to have such a dagger. What I can see from the few pictures the seller has provided has it a good patination and a very well worked blade but I know nearly nothing abaut this daggers. So all comments, special about the age and the exact origin will be from great interest. A translation from the inscription on the blade, when possible, is also very appreciated.
Thanks in advance,

Detlef

Very nice older example probably 1900-20? You will need someone to translate the inscription to be sure.

Nice one. The inscription says: umdurman :-)

Thank you Lew,

have hoped that you comment on this one! ;) :) Without having seen your very nice collection of this daggers I never will have get attention to them. I having seen that the inscription isn't a date but think that it maybe will give some further hints.
Hope that this dagger don't let become me addicted.:D

Regards,

Detlef

I think it's too late detlef .... :D

Hi Lotfy,

thank you for both, translation and compliment. Urdurman (or today Omdurman) is is the biggest city from Sudan, lying in the opposite from Khartoum apart from the Nil. So it's maybe worked in this city.
But there have been a battle at 1898 between Great Britain and Mahdist, see here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Omdurman.
So it's maybe possible that it was a bringback to GB from an soldier.

Anyway, thank you again and regards,

Detlef

You could be right! :D :D

Hi Detlef,

It's a nice example. I'll be interested to see better pictures when you have it with you.

Also nice to have such a famous place name inscribed on the blade.
I always think it's a bonus to tie the item to a place or person.
A geographic location really 'anchors' an item wonderfully.

Looking at the pictures we can't see the other side of the blade. Perhaps there could even be something more on the other side?

أم درمان Looking at 'Umm Durmān' in standard Arabic makes you realise how fortunate we are to have Lotfy to translate for us! ;)
He managed to make out "shughl Om Durman" on my silver box as well!
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=16282

Best
Gene

Hi Gene,

thank you. :)
And yes, it's great that Lotfy was able to translate the inscription. I am as well very curious to hold it in my hands, we can't see the other side of the blade nor the complete blade and it's possible that there are more inscriptions on the blade. BTW, very nice silver box you have there.

Best,

Detlef

This is very nice representative of its type. Congratulations

Thank you Martin,

any thoughts about the age and the inscription?

Regards,

Detlef

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=13804

I had one very similar, the date on the one I had was 1942.. maybe that can help?

Thank you Lotfy,

I still remember your thread. Still hope that there at mine as well more inscriptions and maybe also a date.

Regards,

Detlef

Hi Detlef, I don´t have any special thoughts. As Lew said - "nice older example". Maybe faded look of the crocodile leather could be used as criterion of the age of the sheath, also the thinness of the small-patterned design. And, I am not sure, but maybe also distinctively rhombic cross-section of the handle (?)

Thank's again Martin, "nice older example" is already good and your hints for age estimation are good ones IMHO.

Regards,

Detlef

Have received the dagger and I am very pleased with it. There isn't a second inscription on the blade. Here are some pictures after it has received some maintenance.

Beautiful! :eek: :D

Thank you Lew! :)

Congratulations Detlef, It's a very good example. :D

Thank you Gene, but it's a shame that the arm loop from the scabbard is missing.

Regards,

Detlef

Ah! But it's better than no scabbard at all ;)
And the dagger itself is a very nice example :D