Sudan short sword. Qama/khinjal like blade

[Tim Simmons]

Another thing acquired today. Copy of Persian forms? David, yes these are Mahdist pieces. Blade 39cm total 52cm.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/Soudan003.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v426/jamhappy/Soudan004.jpg

[Lew]

Tim

Can you post a close up of the inscription so we can haeve it translated.


Lew

[Tim Simmons]

I think or hope this is the right way round and not upside down.

[Lew]

I think or hope this is the right way round and not upside down.

Tim

I think it is the right way?

[Tim Simmons]

Fabulous, from the same workshop. Can you post pics of the whole thing.

[S.Al-Anizi]

Hmm, that word says "Umdurman", it could be an arabic, or an african word. ;)

The date is in hijri, and translates to 1900 on the Gregorian calender.

[Tim Simmons]

That is very interesting. There was an arsenal at Omdurman. The knife I post has no date. I am happy in the believe that it is from the most active period of the Mahdist rebellion it fits very well with the other pieces I have. Omdurman would not be supplying the continueing Mahdist unrest post 1898.

[Lew]

Fabulous, from the same workshop. Can you post pics of the whole thing.

Here ya go. I think the lower dagger is from the same shop due to the similar scroll work on the blade.

Lew

[Tim Simmons]

Thanks Lew I can smile again now :) :) :) :D :cool:

[Rivkin]

First of all I am not sure it is not a local invention that just by the means of similar function resembles kindjal. Second, Sudan was a part of Ottoman Empire and, despite the Sassanid claims of the opposite, had no relationship to Iranic world.
In XIXth century Sudan was very pro-Ottoman because since Muhammed Ali it became a place where circassian officers were exiled for opposing Ali or the the presence of arabs in egyptian army. During Mahdist rebellion the "government" forces clashed with Mahdist; the corner of the former was formed by so called "Mexican' veterans (i.e. the unit lead by circassians who fought in Mexico as a part of french expeditionary force). Their Ottoman loyalty was well known, so again if something it is a continuation of Ottoman kindjal-like daggers.