Sudanese Hausa dagger 19th century?
 

Hi all

I was told this was a Sudanese Huasa Dagger. Can anyone tell me more about it? Thanks :)

The handle design, ('T' shaped) is very similar to my Hausa arm dagger. The scabbard seems typical for the Sudanese area, but I'm not so certain that it would be considered 'Hausa'. Perhaps the knife has 'Hausa' influences or could the scabbard be younger than the knife, and therefore not original. A picture of the blade may provide more clues.

As always, identification of North African weapons is a conundrum, when considering trade routes, interaction of nomadic tribes, constant refurbishing of older weapons and eventually, the curse of the tourist trade! :)

Katana has well pointed out the clear Hausa influences in this dagger, and it most certainly may be, or have been Hausa. It appears to have had, as noted, a sheath made as a later addition. The strip of crocodile hide at the throat of the scabbard suggests possible Darfur association, as this feature is typically found on kaskara mounts from there. The Hausa groups seem to have inhabited regions from Niger, westward as far as Sudan, therefore the refitted dagger may have found use in these regions.

Best regards,
Jim

Sudanese dagger
 

I thank both of you for your replies regarding my dagger. I am certainly getting an education and I do appreciate that.

Here is a photo of the blade. It is discolored and pitted (as far as I can see). There are faint lines running along the edge of the blade on both sides, but not sure they will show up sufficiently to be seen.

Photo
 

Guess it would help to upload it. :rolleyes:

One more dagger
 

Does having two daggers constitute a "collection"? ;)

This is my only other dagger.

Hi Dusti,
Absolutely!
A collection could be a single item, the entire purpose of collecting is to enjoy the item or items you have. It is absolutely not about hoarding or trying to outdo anyone else..its completely personal. Both your daggers are nice examples, and clearly have thier own stories to tell. Enjoy them! :)
All the best,
Jim

Hi Jim :)

I have indeed enjoyed the mystery of them up til now. They are probably the most unusual things I have around the house and definitely more interesting than the claymore sword my son gifted me. However, my husband has to have a bone marrow transplant in the very near future and that's how they ended up back on my desk. Now, I get to mull over the pros and cons and decide just how much I like them. :D

Thanks again for all the information and the kind words.

Dusti