Sudan Mahdist daggers

[Iain]

Hi Colin,

I'd agree, collection labels and similar seem to have been popular at the time. I tend to think most of these are contemporary to the time the pieces were collected - the only caveat being if the new owner obtained it from a reputable source, or was sold it off a street corner in Cairo as an "authentic" Omdurman souvenir.

I'm afraid my own collecting habits rarely tend towards events in the Sudan, so I don't have examples to show, but I think it's worth mentioning a lot of bring backs from military action were cataloged properly at the point of collection - for example the items in the Blair castle collection.

All the best,

Iain

[Congoblades]

Have some but no idea about the age.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

Have some but no idea about the age.

Nice examples! I've never handled one myself but I'm interested how far the range for these was? And among which ethnic groups?

I'm aware of course of the Beja association, but as we find with many other forms, they were often used outside of the most widely known ethnic group associated with the form.

[Oliver Pinchot]

I just acquired Go Strong Into The Desert The Mahdist Uprising in Sudan 1881-85 by Lt. Col. Mike Snook.
It is an exceptional piece of research, detailing the political environment, battles, and particularly garments and armor; it is also very well illustrated. Available at www.perry-miniatures.com

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

I just acquired Go Strong Into The Desert The Mahdist Uprising in Sudan 1881-85 by Lt. Col. Mike Snook.
It is an exceptional piece of research, detailing the political environment, battles, and particularly garments and armor; it is also very well illustrated. Available at www.perry-miniatures.com

Thanks for the recommendation. The book looks interesting, is it mainly focused on the British forces, equipment and dress, or is it equally slanted towards the Mahdist forces. My interest would primarily be in any historical photos of Madhist foot and cavalry and associated dress and equipment.

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Congoblades

Have some but no idea about the age.

Hi Congoblades

Thanks for posting these. Always difficult to date, but I would guess at first half of the 20th century. The one with the dog-leg blade maybe earlier than the other two ? They illustrate well that patchy, deep rust pitting often to be found on Sudanese and Somali blades, for some reason that I can't fathom... The images also show the subtle difference in hilt styles.

Here are a couple of images that show Mahdist (Ansar) dress and weapons, for interest. They are from the books "Fire and Sword in the Sudan" and "A Prisoner of the Khaleefa".

Regards.

[Oliver Pinchot]

Iain,

This book deals almost exclusively with the Sudanese and their
allies. It offers good archival photographs and has detailed drawings,
most of which are in color.

Oliver

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Oliver Pinchot

Iain,

This book deals almost exclusively with the Sudanese and their
allies. It offers good archival photographs and has detailed drawings,
most of which are in color.

Oliver

Perfect, I'll order a copy for sure. Thanks again for bringing it to my attention.