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Old 4th January 2013, 08:22 PM   #1
Sajen
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Default 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
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Last edited by Sajen; 4th January 2013 at 11:46 PM.
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Old 5th January 2013, 02:04 PM   #2
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Very nice older example probably 1900-20? You will need someone to translate the inscription to be sure.
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Old 5th January 2013, 02:10 PM   #3
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Nice one. The inscription says: umdurman :-)
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Old 5th January 2013, 08:33 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lew
Very nice older example probably 1900-20? You will need someone to translate the inscription to be sure.
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.

Regards,

Detlef
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Old 5th January 2013, 08:39 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
Thank you Lew,

Hope that this dagger don't let become me addicted.

Regards,

Detlef
I think it's too late detlef ....
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Old 5th January 2013, 08:52 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A.alnakkas
Nice one. The inscription says: umdurman :-)
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
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Old 5th January 2013, 08:54 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rick
I think it's too late detlef ....
You could be right!
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Old 5th January 2013, 09:24 PM   #8
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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

Last edited by Atlantia; 5th January 2013 at 09:41 PM.
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Old 6th January 2013, 11:00 AM   #9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
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
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Old 6th January 2013, 12:55 PM   #10
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This is very nice representative of its type. Congratulations
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Old 6th January 2013, 01:02 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky
This is very nice representative of its type. Congratulations
Thank you Martin,

any thoughts about the age and the inscription?

Regards,

Detlef
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Old 6th January 2013, 01:05 PM   #12
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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?
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Old 6th January 2013, 02:30 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by A.alnakkas
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
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Old 6th January 2013, 05:58 PM   #14
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Hi Detlef, I donīt 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 (?)
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Old 6th January 2013, 06:13 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky
Hi Detlef, I donīt 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
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Old 18th January 2013, 03:52 PM   #16
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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.
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Old 18th January 2013, 05:38 PM   #17
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Beautiful!
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Old 18th January 2013, 05:51 PM   #18
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Thank you Lew!
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Old 18th January 2013, 08:57 PM   #19
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Congratulations Detlef, It's a very good example.
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Old 19th January 2013, 11:33 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Atlantia
Congratulations Detlef, It's a very good example.
Thank you Gene, but it's a shame that the arm loop from the scabbard is missing.

Regards,

Detlef
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Old 19th January 2013, 12:49 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Sajen
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
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