Silver Sudanese Arm Dagger for share

G. Mansfield · 9th October 2017, 03:45 AM

Finally had the chance to catch another early Sudanese arm dagger with some decoration. It was a little smaller than I had first presumed but I am still very pleased with the quality of it. The blade is well crafted much like the earlier ones with a raised central ridge. It is pictured next to another arm dagger which was previously purchased from Lew's collection for size comparison.

Provenance/Region of Origin: Sudan
Date: Early 20th Century
Overall Length W/ Sheath: 11” (approx. 28cm)
Hilt & Blade Length: 10 ¾” (approx. 27cm)
Blade Length: 6 ¾ ” (approx. 17cm)

http://www.vikingsword.com/lew/w0105/w0105.html

Comments, questions, or information welcomed.
-Geoff

mariusgmioc · 9th October 2017, 07:30 AM

It is certainly a very well crafted and beautiful piece.

Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

Robert · 9th October 2017, 08:46 AM

A most beautiful example of this style of dagger. I cannot wait to see it once you have had a chance to give it a good overall cleaning and polish the fittings, especially the silver wirework of the hilt. My congratulations to you on your good fortune in acquiring this marvelous piece.

Best,
Robert

Martin Lubojacky · 9th October 2017, 10:32 AM

Very nice piece. Congratulations

Kubur · 9th October 2017, 11:45 AM

I like them very much.
I think that you are pessimistic and the one to the right could be from the 19th c.
I'll give them a good 8/10 or 9/10.
They would have a 10/10 if you had an Arabic inscription on the blade...
Best,
Kubur

LJ · 9th October 2017, 03:54 PM

But the one on the left does have an inscription on the blade. Does the word read Khartoum? The date 1318 [AH, i.e. 1900 AD] ?

G. Mansfield · 9th October 2017, 09:34 PM

Kubur, there is a possibility that this dagger may date to the late 19th century as it should not be ruled out, but without dating on the blade, I did not want to immediately describe as such. It was purchased as "early 20th Century coming from an old Belgium Collection", purchased from Belgium.

LJ, You are correct, the larger one is dated [1318] =1900/1901 on both sides with "Khartoum" on one side and "Omdurman" on the other. Details of the blade can be found in the link above of the initial post.

It would be interesting if there was a way to better date these, but I made my assumption off of earlier dated ones where the blades were of better quality as opposed to those of mid 20th Century examples with flat blades, no mid ribs or fullers and less quality silver or white metal workings.

-Geoff

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 9th October 2017, 11:49 PM

This is interesting ... Omdurman was 1898, 2 September. Locally inscribed dates may however be slightly out.. Here is the battle picture below~

9th October 2017, 03:45 AM	#1
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 83	Silver Sudanese Arm Dagger for share Finally had the chance to catch another early Sudanese arm dagger with some decoration. It was a little smaller than I had first presumed but I am still very pleased with the quality of it. The blade is well crafted much like the earlier ones with a raised central ridge. It is pictured next to another arm dagger which was previously purchased from Lew's collection for size comparison. Provenance/Region of Origin: Sudan Date: Early 20th Century Overall Length W/ Sheath: 11” (approx. 28cm) Hilt & Blade Length: 10 ¾” (approx. 27cm) Blade Length: 6 ¾ ” (approx. 17cm) http://www.vikingsword.com/lew/w0105/w0105.html Comments, questions, or information welcomed. -Geoff Attached Images

9th October 2017, 11:49 PM	#8
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This is interesting ... Omdurman was 1898, 2 September. Locally inscribed dates may however be slightly out.. Here is the battle picture below~ Attached Images

9th October 2017, 07:30 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	It is certainly a very well crafted and beautiful piece. Congratulations and thank you for sharing!

9th October 2017, 08:46 AM	#3
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	A most beautiful example of this style of dagger. I cannot wait to see it once you have had a chance to give it a good overall cleaning and polish the fittings, especially the silver wirework of the hilt. My congratulations to you on your good fortune in acquiring this marvelous piece. Best, Robert

9th October 2017, 10:32 AM	#4
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Very nice piece. Congratulations

9th October 2017, 11:45 AM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	I like them very much. I think that you are pessimistic and the one to the right could be from the 19th c. I'll give them a good 8/10 or 9/10. They would have a 10/10 if you had an Arabic inscription on the blade... Best, Kubur

9th October 2017, 03:54 PM	#6
LJ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 93	But the one on the left does have an inscription on the blade. Does the word read Khartoum? The date 1318 [AH, i.e. 1900 AD] ?

9th October 2017, 09:34 PM	#7
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts: 83	Kubur, there is a possibility that this dagger may date to the late 19th century as it should not be ruled out, but without dating on the blade, I did not want to immediately describe as such. It was purchased as "early 20th Century coming from an old Belgium Collection", purchased from Belgium. LJ, You are correct, the larger one is dated [1318] =1900/1901 on both sides with "Khartoum" on one side and "Omdurman" on the other. Details of the blade can be found in the link above of the initial post. It would be interesting if there was a way to better date these, but I made my assumption off of earlier dated ones where the blades were of better quality as opposed to those of mid 20th Century examples with flat blades, no mid ribs or fullers and less quality silver or white metal workings. -Geoff