Congratulations David, this Sudanese saif is as nice as they get. I remember a thread by S. Al-Anzi a few years ago about the bazaar in Riyadh, where he claimed that the Clauberg blades with the knight marking were and still are the most valued blades of all. I would guess Clauberg blades enjoyed the same popularity in the Sudan as on the Arab peninsula - they reached both via the ports of Egypt and Cairo.
This would suggest that your sword belonged to someone with the means of affording such a valued blade, most likely someone of relatively high ranking, which is also evidenced by the nice hilt.
A truly great find! Regards,
Teodor
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