Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 19th March 2019, 07:55 PM   #1
thinreadline
Member
 
thinreadline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wirral
Posts: 1,204
Default Arabic script on blade

Can anyone give me an idea of what this blade decoration says , please ? Or is it simply decorative ?
Attached Images
  
thinreadline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th March 2019, 11:14 PM   #2
Jim McDougall
Arms Historian
 
Jim McDougall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,940
Default

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.
Jim McDougall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th March 2019, 01:00 AM   #3
thinreadline
Member
 
thinreadline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wirral
Posts: 1,204
Default

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
 
thinreadline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th March 2019, 01:26 AM   #4
Jim McDougall
Arms Historian
 
Jim McDougall's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,940
Default

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.
Jim McDougall is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20th March 2019, 09:17 AM   #5
thinreadline
Member
 
thinreadline's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Wirral
Posts: 1,204
Default

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 .
thinreadline is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 21st March 2019, 02:10 PM   #6
Kubur
Member
 
Kubur's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Posts: 2,145
Default

One bit is readable, maybe Ibrahem can do it??
I agree with Jim most probably 1900 post-Omdurman.
Still good for me!
Attached Images
 
Kubur is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 01:24 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.