Interesting african arm dagger

Atlantia · 5th March 2011, 11:01 PM

Picked this one up. Not a type I've had before.
Seems to have lots of age, lovely patina on the wood.
Nothing earth shattering, but thought you chaps might like to see it.

Lew · 5th March 2011, 11:11 PM

Seems to be Hausa looking at the hilt. See the link third dagger from the top.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2890

Iain · 6th March 2011, 09:59 AM

Certainly Hausa, the form is found in wood as yours is, or also in brass. I'd guess early 1900s for this one, given the blade. Could be older though. Nice find, these aren't as common as say Tebu examples.

Atlantia · 6th March 2011, 11:12 AM

Lew and Iain

Thanks guys. Have you noticed how carefully 'knotted' the long strips of material forming the arm band are?

Despite being crude, the blade is suprisingly thick and meaty.
It's a nice little thing really

Thanks
Gene

Iain · 6th March 2011, 10:01 PM

Hi Gene,

I've always found arm daggers an interesting field in that it's a style that spans the entire Sahel. A lot of these are invariably labeled Tuareg (kind of like takouba) or Sudanese without any further classification. A pity as there's a lot of variety out there that I suspect is linked to specific tribes and geographical areas. As always, more to learn, for me at least.

Cheers,

Iain

Atlantia · 7th March 2011, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Iain

Hi Gene,

I've always found arm daggers an interesting field in that it's a style that spans the entire Sahel. A lot of these are invariably labeled Tuareg (kind of like takouba) or Sudanese without any further classification. A pity as there's a lot of variety out there that I suspect is linked to specific tribes and geographical areas. As always, more to learn, for me at least.

Cheers,

Iain

I agree completely. They are many, varied and interesting.
I must admit, I've always fancied the 'posh' end of the spectrum, the multi fullered blades, the silver mounts etc.....
Sadly I've never had a really fancy one.
This one is full of the opposite sort of charm. Completely 'rustic' and handmade but suprisingly deadly feeling.
I'll probobly get bored of it soon enough, but I'm enjoying having a different type to the usual at the moment

.

Best
Gene

Edster · 8th March 2011, 02:13 AM

Very nice arm dagger. I agree with its "organic" qualities. I haven't participated in the Forum for a while, and it lured by back. Its interesting the similarities, yet definite stylistic differences of various regions. The examples below may be useful to add to the mix. #753 are from Western Sudan and are qualitatively different from # 755 from the Nile Region. People off Eastern Sudan don't wear the jalabiya gown, but prefer pants and an over shirt. They usually wear their knives around the waist.

#744 would be an arm dagger if that style was used in the Kassala area. In fact I purchased the blade and sketched the handle. my friend/translator and handle make crafted the handle in the local style. I was thrilled to later learn that the design became a kind of fashion statement. Dinka bladesmith made several and sold them.

Any more examples in clooections. Maybe we can do a small catalogue.

Regards,
Ed ley

Atlantia · 8th March 2011, 10:45 AM

HI Ed,

Good to have you back

Nice selection there. Thats a great story about your design being 'adopted' it's a great example of how these diverse variations 'evolve'.

There are other members here who have extensive collections of these daggers.............
Lew, you still here?

5th March 2011, 11:01 PM	#1
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Interesting african arm dagger Picked this one up. Not a type I've had before. Seems to have lots of age, lovely patina on the wood. Nothing earth shattering, but thought you chaps might like to see it.

6th March 2011, 11:12 AM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Lew and Iain Thanks guys. Have you noticed how carefully 'knotted' the long strips of material forming the arm band are? Despite being crude, the blade is suprisingly thick and meaty. It's a nice little thing really Thanks Gene Last edited by Atlantia; 6th March 2011 at 01:49 PM.

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5th March 2011, 11:11 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Seems to be Hausa looking at the hilt. See the link third dagger from the top. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=2890

6th March 2011, 09:59 AM	#3
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Certainly Hausa, the form is found in wood as yours is, or also in brass. I'd guess early 1900s for this one, given the blade. Could be older though. Nice find, these aren't as common as say Tebu examples.

6th March 2011, 10:01 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,693	Hi Gene, I've always found arm daggers an interesting field in that it's a style that spans the entire Sahel. A lot of these are invariably labeled Tuareg (kind of like takouba) or Sudanese without any further classification. A pity as there's a lot of variety out there that I suspect is linked to specific tribes and geographical areas. As always, more to learn, for me at least. Cheers, Iain

8th March 2011, 02:13 AM	#7
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Some Sudanese Arm Daggers Very nice arm dagger. I agree with its "organic" qualities. I haven't participated in the Forum for a while, and it lured by back. Its interesting the similarities, yet definite stylistic differences of various regions. The examples below may be useful to add to the mix. #753 are from Western Sudan and are qualitatively different from # 755 from the Nile Region. People off Eastern Sudan don't wear the jalabiya gown, but prefer pants and an over shirt. They usually wear their knives around the waist. #744 would be an arm dagger if that style was used in the Kassala area. In fact I purchased the blade and sketched the handle. my friend/translator and handle make crafted the handle in the local style. I was thrilled to later learn that the design became a kind of fashion statement. Dinka bladesmith made several and sold them. Any more examples in clooections. Maybe we can do a small catalogue. Regards, Ed ley Attached Images

8th March 2011, 10:45 AM	#8
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	HI Ed, Good to have you back Nice selection there. Thats a great story about your design being 'adopted' it's a great example of how these diverse variations 'evolve'. There are other members here who have extensive collections of these daggers............. Lew, you still here?