Sudan arm dagger restore or not?

Marc M. · 14th November 2023, 04:09 PM

Greetings

I just bought a Sudanese arm dagger in a good condition exept for the handle,
and the arm loop is missing.
Top part is ivory and is missing a piece of the cilindrical part, the ivory piece at the top was broken in two pieces and was poorly glued and i glued the pieces again. Question: leave it as it is or restore it.I don't think the dagger is worth the restauration cost by a proffesional restorer, so probably a diy job. The ivory bird can be used for the missing part.
There is a text on the blade, a translation is always welcome.

Best regards
Marc

RobT · 15th November 2023, 12:33 AM

Hi Marc M,

In the first blade close-up, I think the first four characters are a date. The first three digits appear to be 198. I think the last digit may be a 3. I don't know what the rest of the characters are.

Sincerely,
RobT

kahnjar1 · 15th November 2023, 02:50 AM

If you have the skill, I would definitely say restore the handle, especially since you have some ivory to do it.
Stu

Marc M. · 15th November 2023, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

If you have the skill, I would definitely say restore the handle, especially since you have some ivory to do it.
Stu

Hi Stu

Thanks for your reaction, i've never restored ivory before but i am not too clumsy, so i give it a try.

Best Regards
Marc

Richard G · 18th November 2023, 11:30 AM

I think they are all numerals 1983/3/16

Regards
Richard

Kmaddock · 18th November 2023, 02:06 PM

Hi
What's the plan as I cant see how the piece of ivory will be big enough for the job at hand
I found a hand fret saw is very good at cutting ivory with minimal wastage.
Regards
Ken

Marc M. · 19th November 2023, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard G

I think they are all numerals 1983/3/16

Regards
Richard

Hi Richard

Thanks for the translation of the date, it could of course mean anything.

Best regards
Marc

Marc M. · 15th November 2023, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobT

Hi Marc M,

In the first blade close-up, I think the first four characters are a date. The first three digits appear to be 198. I think the last digit may be a 3. I don't know what the rest of the characters are.

Sincerely,
RobT

Hi Rob

Thank you for the translation.

Sincerely
Marc

14th November 2023, 04:09 PM	#1
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 159	Sudan arm dagger restore or not? Greetings I just bought a Sudanese arm dagger in a good condition exept for the handle, and the arm loop is missing. Top part is ivory and is missing a piece of the cilindrical part, the ivory piece at the top was broken in two pieces and was poorly glued and i glued the pieces again. Question: leave it as it is or restore it.I don't think the dagger is worth the restauration cost by a proffesional restorer, so probably a diy job. The ivory bird can be used for the missing part. There is a text on the blade, a translation is always welcome. Best regards Marc Attached Images

15th November 2023, 12:33 AM	#2
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 489	Date? Hi Marc M, In the first blade close-up, I think the first four characters are a date. The first three digits appear to be 198. I think the last digit may be a 3. I don't know what the rest of the characters are. Sincerely, RobT Last edited by RobT; 15th November 2023 at 12:35 AM. Reason: clarification

15th November 2023, 02:50 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	If you have the skill, I would definitely say restore the handle, especially since you have some ivory to do it. Stu

18th November 2023, 11:30 AM	#5
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 406	I think they are all numerals 1983/3/16 Regards Richard

18th November 2023, 02:06 PM	#6
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Hi What's the plan as I cant see how the piece of ivory will be big enough for the job at hand I found a hand fret saw is very good at cutting ivory with minimal wastage. Regards Ken