Sudan Dagger ?
 

Hi all,
I just picked this up yesterday, the blade configuration and quality caught my eye. I'd like to know when and where it might have come from, Sudan is my best guess.
Thanks,
Warren in Arizona

If you pester Lew hard enough, he may remember a thing or two about similar daggers :D

I would be grateful for any information that Lew might share with me.
It seems that I have become interested in knives that I know very little about. The only thing I have to go on is my 40yrs experience in collecting US military knives for which there is plenty of documentation.
I haven't found a book yet that gives a beginner the information needed to get started in this field of collecting.

If it weren't for this forum I wouldn't know anything about these knives, now I know a little, enough to be dangerous.
Thanks to all,
Warren in Arizona

Warren

I saw that one and its real nice with well defined fullers. My guess is pre 1940s. When you get it take a pic of the hilt looking down at the top of the butt I need to see the finale.


Lew

Thanks Lew, I'll post some pics as soon as it lands.

Warren in Arizona

Nice blade. Here is one very similar, though it's curved. This dagger is the traditional Hadendoa/Beni-Amer/Beja "X" hilted dagger. So it is surely Sudanese/Eritrean. The construction of your blade is very similar, plus the shape of the hilt suggests Sudan/Ethiopia. Too bad the scabbard is missing.

A more recent example for comparison.

Thanks Guys, the more I see of these knives the more esthetically pleasing I find the design. They look like a work of art rather then a weapon. Were these blades locally forged in Africa or were they imported and then assembled.

Thanks for the pic of the scabbard, I'd like to have one made for this knife if it's economically feasible.

I've got a few more African knives that I'll take pics of and see what you all think.

Warren in Arizona

Nice dagger, Warren. I especially like the handle.

Here are two more for comaprison, turn of the century (19th-20th) or so.

Cheers!
Emanuel

Manolo

Your top dagger is of the Omdurman style (thats my classification) ;) which was very popular during the late 1890s-1900 a nice example. Warrens seems more Hadendoa to me and probably dates from about 1918-45.

Lew

Yup, I remember the discussion we had when I got it. Was I a happy camper that day :D The blade's got Umdurman written on it, so your classification is most applicable.

Those addictive little arm daggers ;) :p

Here is my example with fullered blade for comparison.

Best regards,
Willem

Must .... not ..... give ........ in .... starting ............ to ......... desire ............. :eek: :D

Rick


I fear it is already too late for you my friend :eek: :D ;)



Lew

OH MY ! after seeing all of your knives I find myself running to the mailbox looking for mine and I know it was only mailed yesterday :eek:
I've got my eye on another of these beautiful knives so I think the virus has hit me also.

Warren in Arizona

Well, This finally arrived after being shipped to Israel by mistake . It almost made it back to where it was born :shrug:
I've done some light cleaning and added some pics that Lew asked for.
If you have an idea of the age of this knife I'd be eternally grateful.
Thanks Much,
Warren in (HOT) Arizona

That's a sexy blade Warren :cool:
Early 1900s seems plausible.

Thanks Very Much, I wasn't disappointed at all when I finally had it in my hands.
The only thing I could wish for would have been it being signed like yours.
The workmanship on these knives is incredible.
I have some beautifully forged Kukries from the same era and they are not as well executed as this knife.
I can't wait to find some more of these knives.

Warren in Arizona

Manolo

The hilt doesn't have a smooth patina file marks still evident on the wood probably 1940s era. Still an excellent example .

Congrats

Thanks Lew,
Could you tell me the specific points to look for in an old knife of this type ??
I really do want to give some of these knives a good home and I'd like to be able to tell my Great Grand Children just what they are inheriting :D

Thanks Again,
Warren in Arizona

Warren

Patina overall quality,scabbard constuction/style and materials. Below are a grouping from my collection. Second from left,center and second from right are 1930s-40s. 19th century daggers usually have heavier better quality silver or some have small coins (PIASTRES) at the end of the pommel. Also many old ones are marked with a date most from 1890-1900.

Thanks Lew for sharing some of your collection with us. :D
Those are some awesome knives, almost drooled on my keyboard looking at them................
I'll be looking to acquire some more of these knives as long as my play money holds out.

Warren in Arizona

Heck Warren , I go through about 5 keyboards a year on this site . :D

Good eyes, Lew. I got blinded by the blade. love the profile...

Now that you've shown all that sexy "Sudanese dagger" porn you know I've got to go hunting for some of my own ;) . Haven't seen too many on the bay lately.

Keep looking Manolo they show up from time to time. ;)


Lew

Let's not drive up the price fellas .
Remember what we did to the Dha and the Moro Kris .... :D :eek:

Rick

Don't worry I have quite enough for now. ;)

Hi

Here's my contribution - got this recently. That "circle and dot" motif seems to get everywhere.

Regards

Colin

Can we see the blade please?

Here it is, needs a bit of cleaning. Also a picture of the handle from the side.

Regards
Colin