Unusual dagger ?Philippines ?N. Africa

Ian · 3rd December 2025, 03:12 AM

Thanks Tim. It seems that I have all the images upside down.

I'll try to restore them to their correct orientation.

The reoriented images for my knife seem to be a fairly close approximation to the inscription that Tim has shown. Those on the kaskara are not as close.

Tim Simmons · 3rd December 2025, 11:24 AM

For comparison.

G. Mansfield · 3rd December 2025, 10:38 PM

Looks like Sudanese knife from the Mahdist period or shortly thereafter. Attached below is another example from African Arms with the same bayonet blade type and form. My guess origin of a Khartoum workshop to near the 3rd cataract of the Nile in Northern Sudan near Dongola. I will attach a Dongola style curved dagger that I received recently. Take particular note in the similarity of the segments of bone and horn hilt with metal alloy spacers paired with the brass pommel. The shape of yours reminds me of some British naval dirks. The Nile was used by the British for logistics of troops and ammo during the Mahdist War departing from Egypt, eventually making their way to secure the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. Ian, a great knife in my opinion.

https://africanarms.com/gallery.html...ger-in-3-views
https://www.the-mansfield-collection...ola-dagger-488

-Geoffrey

3rd December 2025, 03:12 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,582	Thanks Tim. It seems that I have all the images upside down. I'll try to restore them to their correct orientation. The reoriented images for my knife seem to be a fairly close approximation to the inscription that Tim has shown. Those on the kaskara are not as close. Last edited by Ian; 3rd December 2025 at 03:34 AM.

3rd December 2025, 11:24 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,934	For comparison. Attached Images

3rd December 2025, 10:38 PM	#3
G. Mansfield Member Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 104	Looks like Sudanese knife from the Mahdist period or shortly thereafter. Attached below is another example from African Arms with the same bayonet blade type and form. My guess origin of a Khartoum workshop to near the 3rd cataract of the Nile in Northern Sudan near Dongola. I will attach a Dongola style curved dagger that I received recently. Take particular note in the similarity of the segments of bone and horn hilt with metal alloy spacers paired with the brass pommel. The shape of yours reminds me of some British naval dirks. The Nile was used by the British for logistics of troops and ammo during the Mahdist War departing from Egypt, eventually making their way to secure the Sudanese capital of Khartoum. Ian, a great knife in my opinion. https://africanarms.com/gallery.html...ger-in-3-views https://www.the-mansfield-collection...ola-dagger-488 -Geoffrey Attached Images