Large Sudanese Dagger For Comment

[derek]

Hi Lew,
I watched that one. Great to see you got it. Its beautiful and just a little unusual. Definitely a keeper.
-d

[RobT]

Hello All,
I am posting pictures of a recently acquired piece with a similar blade (with similar engraving) and sheath but with a very dissimilar hilt. The blade, in desperate need of cleaning, measures 9 7/8 " (25 cm) long and 1" (2.54 cm) wide at the hilt. The hilt measures 4 3/8" (11.11 cm). The pommel is a disk of iron about the size and thickness of a 50¢ piece and is presumably integral with the blade and hilt. I think there is leather under the the reptile hilt wrap (there is some give when the hilt is squeezed). I am pretty sure that the style of hilt on my blade is original but the blade on the subject of this thread looks too slender for its classic Sudanese hilt. Could this mounting be the result of trade or the spoils of war among different ethnic groups or is it merely a not commonly seen variant?
Sincerely,
RobT