Unusual Arab Islamic African sword with inscription

RSWORD · 6th December 2010, 04:16 AM

Some additional pictures including the inscription to blade.

Iain · 6th December 2010, 04:50 AM

I'm struck by the resemblance with Tebu short swords. The scabbard suspension is clearly Chadic/Sudanese.

Is the hilt iron with one piece construction between guard and pommel? Something of the design resembles Mandingo pommels.

The decorative style of the blad conforms to various Chadic groups, similar line designs around the edges can be seen on Chadic daggers. I like the profile of the blade, better geometry than I was expecting.

Hopefully someone can get something out of the inscription. I have seen references to short swords in Nigeria and the Bornu region but never really seen one to compare this with.

A lovely piece, I'm officially intrigued.

RSWORD · 6th December 2010, 12:42 PM

Hi Iain,

Thank you for the feedback. I had thought about Tebu daggers when looking at the protrusion at the top of the handle. This is the only exposed metal part, it is steel, nicely worked. The grip is leather wrapped and then you have nice quality silver mounts at the top and bottom of the grip. It is the silverwork that is throwing off a full Chadic attribution as I don't recall seeing any examples from those regions with this quality of silver work. Like you say, hopefully the blade inscription will provide some details. I'm also hoping some of the other African collectors will provide some opinions.

A.alnakkas · 6th December 2010, 01:37 PM

most beautiful.

the first picture inscription is a verse from the Quran commonly used on swords, it says "victory from God is near, so bring the good tidings of heaven to the believers, O Mohammed"

the last picture inscription says ".... alsultan Ali Dinar" first word is unreadable atm.

the bottom inscription says " .... alsultan .... 3 . 9" the dots are words/numbers i couldnt read.

remarkable piece

Iain · 6th December 2010, 02:50 PM

Well that might break it open... If someone can read the date I'd bet this could be a reference to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur (1856-1916).

RSWORD · 6th December 2010, 07:05 PM

A. Alnakkas, thank you for the translation assistance. This provides a very interesting potential insight into this sword. Iain, I agree, if the date will correspond, this very well could be a sword or something gifted, to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur. This would definitely tie together the influences I am seeing in this sword. Sounds like I need to clean up the blade a bit around the inscription so it is fully legible. Will work on that over the next couple of days. I have also noticed an inscription on the leather on the handle. While more difficult to photograph I need to add it to the discussion as well.

RSWORD · 8th December 2010, 01:39 AM

I cleaned up the inscription area so that it is hopefully more legible now. I also got the best picture of an inscription on the leather on the handle.

I am surprised I haven't had more thoughts/comments about this piece. I would appreciate any thoughts about the cross cultural influences found in this piece. Also, the inscription has some interesting potential with the Sultan Ali Dinar reference.

6th December 2010, 04:16 AM	#1
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	Some additional pictures including the inscription to blade. Attached Images

8th December 2010, 01:39 AM	#7
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	I cleaned up the inscription area so that it is hopefully more legible now. I also got the best picture of an inscription on the leather on the handle. I am surprised I haven't had more thoughts/comments about this piece. I would appreciate any thoughts about the cross cultural influences found in this piece. Also, the inscription has some interesting potential with the Sultan Ali Dinar reference. Attached Images

6th December 2010, 04:50 AM	#2
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	I'm struck by the resemblance with Tebu short swords. The scabbard suspension is clearly Chadic/Sudanese. Is the hilt iron with one piece construction between guard and pommel? Something of the design resembles Mandingo pommels. The decorative style of the blad conforms to various Chadic groups, similar line designs around the edges can be seen on Chadic daggers. I like the profile of the blade, better geometry than I was expecting. Hopefully someone can get something out of the inscription. I have seen references to short swords in Nigeria and the Bornu region but never really seen one to compare this with. A lovely piece, I'm officially intrigued.

6th December 2010, 12:42 PM	#3
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	Hi Iain, Thank you for the feedback. I had thought about Tebu daggers when looking at the protrusion at the top of the handle. This is the only exposed metal part, it is steel, nicely worked. The grip is leather wrapped and then you have nice quality silver mounts at the top and bottom of the grip. It is the silverwork that is throwing off a full Chadic attribution as I don't recall seeing any examples from those regions with this quality of silver work. Like you say, hopefully the blade inscription will provide some details. I'm also hoping some of the other African collectors will provide some opinions.

6th December 2010, 01:37 PM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	most beautiful. the first picture inscription is a verse from the Quran commonly used on swords, it says "victory from God is near, so bring the good tidings of heaven to the believers, O Mohammed" the last picture inscription says ".... alsultan Ali Dinar" first word is unreadable atm. the bottom inscription says " .... alsultan .... 3 . 9" the dots are words/numbers i couldnt read. remarkable piece

6th December 2010, 02:50 PM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,717	Well that might break it open... If someone can read the date I'd bet this could be a reference to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur (1856-1916).

6th December 2010, 07:05 PM	#6
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,087	A. Alnakkas, thank you for the translation assistance. This provides a very interesting potential insight into this sword. Iain, I agree, if the date will correspond, this very well could be a sword or something gifted, to Sultan Ali Dinar of Darfur. This would definitely tie together the influences I am seeing in this sword. Sounds like I need to clean up the blade a bit around the inscription so it is fully legible. Will work on that over the next couple of days. I have also noticed an inscription on the leather on the handle. While more difficult to photograph I need to add it to the discussion as well.