Western involvement in Africa is little discussed today except when things go pear shaped aka "Black Hawk Down"
I am fascinated by pre ww1 European meddling in Africa. The reason I wondered about a possible Turkish/Egyptian yatagan influence is based on the 1889 appointment of Hermann Von Wissmann to suppress rebelion in German East Africa. The formation of the "wissmanntruppe" formed from Sudanese and Zulu "southern African" Askaris. Turkish officers and nco's were needed to communicate with the Sudanese. I believe the wissmanntruppe and the schutztruppe did carry mauser carbine. I do not know the extent of Turkish involvement but it is interesting in relation to the blade discussed. This link is well worth reading.
http://209.85.229.132/search?q=cache...nk&cd=10&gl=uk