Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 6th January 2023, 05:55 PM

This unusual shamshir was discussed here over 23 years ago, and it was speculated that this anomaly was a genuinely intended weapon (not a tourism souvenir) of late 19th into 20th Sudan. The most compelling suggestion for Sudanese provenance is the flared scabbard tip.

The Ottoman style pistol grip hilt and crossguard and the European type scabbard chape and the ball on the tip (mindful of the thum on janbiyya scabbard tips) are also elements adding to the conundrum of this piece.

The diagonally reticulated design of lozenge form is a decorative motif favored on the kaskara of early 20th c. in 'Ali Dinar' (Darfur) period into later Kassala period, so is also interesting element.

In discussions c. 2000, it was suggested that the composition of the blade appeared to be "Istanbul beyaz' type damascus (as described in Stone as mid 19th c.)There were concerns that the blade might have been forged locally in imitation of that process as though it is of good quality, there are forging flaws. I do not have the sword available presently so just add that pending observations and questions.

I wanted to show this here, and hope for observations and thoughts on the possible character of the sword as far as being for ceremony or perhaps wear as a dress accoutrement.
Has anyone seen anything like this in Sudanese context?

6th January 2023, 05:55 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,767	Sudanese(?) shamshir anomaly This unusual shamshir was discussed here over 23 years ago, and it was speculated that this anomaly was a genuinely intended weapon (not a tourism souvenir) of late 19th into 20th Sudan. The most compelling suggestion for Sudanese provenance is the flared scabbard tip. The Ottoman style pistol grip hilt and crossguard and the European type scabbard chape and the ball on the tip (mindful of the thum on janbiyya scabbard tips) are also elements adding to the conundrum of this piece. The diagonally reticulated design of lozenge form is a decorative motif favored on the kaskara of early 20th c. in 'Ali Dinar' (Darfur) period into later Kassala period, so is also interesting element. In discussions c. 2000, it was suggested that the composition of the blade appeared to be "Istanbul beyaz' type damascus (as described in Stone as mid 19th c.)There were concerns that the blade might have been forged locally in imitation of that process as though it is of good quality, there are forging flaws. I do not have the sword available presently so just add that pending observations and questions. I wanted to show this here, and hope for observations and thoughts on the possible character of the sword as far as being for ceremony or perhaps wear as a dress accoutrement. Has anyone seen anything like this in Sudanese context? Attached Images