To brings things up to date. A while back I saw a collection of Sudanese cap badges one of which was the soat'al of the Eastern Arab Corps of the Sudanese Defence Force. Likely collected by Gen. Gifford during his East Africa service in WW1.
I would appreciate if someone would extract the #947 image and post to show the badge.
https://lockdales.auctioneersvault.c...s/page0043.pdf
Eastern Arab Corps Wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Arab_Corps
Quote from Wiki "The Eastern Arab Corps represents a key institution in the formation and development of the Sudanese Armed Forces. Originating in the 1890s as a founding unit of the Sudan Defence Force, the Eastern Arab Corps was spearheaded by Beni Amer tribesmen of the Eastern Sudan. The insignia of the Eastern Arab Corps was the Shotal, a famous curved dagger used in Eastern Sudan.[2]" End Quote
The Double C grip likely originated in Kassala at least during WW1 by Beni Amer influence.
Best,
Ed