(picture below) These three knives with sheath probably date to the time of Mohammed Ahmed (1848-85) and the (Mahdi) revolutionary insurrection against colonial rule in Sudan. The double-edged blades are engraved on both sides with Arabic calligraphy. The use of crocodile hide on the sheath may have offered powerful warrior energy to the owner.
Source:
http://searchcollections.brighton-ho...+skin&record=0
some more:
http://atkinson-swords.com/SwordsAnd...se_Knives.html
http://www.19thcenturyweapons.com/207/arab/sud3.html