Mahdist knife

Freddy · 9th June 2008, 07:06 PM

I found this one yesterday on a Belgian auction site. I think it comes from the Sudan. It has a 'Mahdist' feel to it with the Arabic inscriptions on the blade.

It was the blade which interested me. Has anyone seen this on an African blade ? Looks Indian to me, or am I wrong ?

Length is 27 cm.

I'll send better pics when it arrives.

Tim Simmons · 9th June 2008, 07:18 PM

Nice and very interesting! When you get it post better pictures showing the script.

Freddy · 9th June 2008, 07:34 PM

Looks old, no ?

Tim Simmons · 9th June 2008, 08:04 PM

Looks old and African, if I say Sudan it will be in the old sense of the word far more than the "Mahdi" "Omdurman" and all that.

Jim McDougall · 10th June 2008, 11:27 PM

This dagger is most definitely Sudanese, and probably an early to mid 20th century interpretation of those fashioned by Mahdist armourers during those conflicts. The basic form reflects the kindjhals often carried by Turco-Egyptian troops, which was often imitated by local smiths and an example of this exact type blade is shown in the catalog for the Kendall Collection exhibition (Linz & Schallaberg, Austria, 2001-2002).

The bifurcated blade of course is intended as an interpretation reflecting the very sacred Sword used by Muhammed, Dhu'l Faqar, and the thuluth script acid etched on the blade is typical of those on Sudanese edged weapons associated with the Mahdist period

Tim Simmons · 11th June 2008, 10:37 PM

Freddy, I have just gambled on this. I do believe I can see a version of the inscription "The conqueror, salvation unto him" so we both have things to compere. I have a similar axe pretty much the same size 26 inches long but without the copper? inlay.

9th June 2008, 07:06 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Mahdist knife I found this one yesterday on a Belgian auction site. I think it comes from the Sudan. It has a 'Mahdist' feel to it with the Arabic inscriptions on the blade. It was the blade which interested me. Has anyone seen this on an African blade ? Looks Indian to me, or am I wrong ? Length is 27 cm. I'll send better pics when it arrives.

11th June 2008, 10:37 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Freddy, I have just gambled on this. I do believe I can see a version of the inscription "The conqueror, salvation unto him" so we both have things to compere. I have a similar axe pretty much the same size 26 inches long but without the copper? inlay. Attached Images

9th June 2008, 07:18 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Nice and very interesting! When you get it post better pictures showing the script.

9th June 2008, 07:34 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Looks old, no ?

9th June 2008, 08:04 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Looks old and African, if I say Sudan it will be in the old sense of the word far more than the "Mahdi" "Omdurman" and all that.

10th June 2008, 11:27 PM	#5
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,951	This dagger is most definitely Sudanese, and probably an early to mid 20th century interpretation of those fashioned by Mahdist armourers during those conflicts. The basic form reflects the kindjhals often carried by Turco-Egyptian troops, which was often imitated by local smiths and an example of this exact type blade is shown in the catalog for the Kendall Collection exhibition (Linz & Schallaberg, Austria, 2001-2002). The bifurcated blade of course is intended as an interpretation reflecting the very sacred Sword used by Muhammed, Dhu'l Faqar, and the thuluth script acid etched on the blade is typical of those on Sudanese edged weapons associated with the Mahdist period