My guess it was a Slavers Sword, pre-Mahdiya, not related to the Mahdiya 1985-99 or neo-Mahdiya in the c. 1920c. Designed to intimidate and exhibit power to Southern Blacks captives and not to exhibit Sudanese social/cultural solidarity. It doesn't exhibit Sudanese kaskara design themes only to suggest them. The cross-guard is cast bronze like those from Eqypt on non-combat kaskara not forged iron as on "real" kaskara. The metal grip coverings are copper not silver as would signal owner prestige. The scabbard exhibits better design & execution quality than the saber itself.
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Best,
Ed
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