Mahdist knife

Tim Simmons · 9th June 2008, 06:18 PM

Nice and very interesting! When you get it post better pictures showing the script.

Freddy · 9th June 2008, 06:34 PM

Looks old, no ?

Tim Simmons · 9th June 2008, 07:04 PM

Looks old and African, if I say Sudan it will be in the old sense of the word far more than the "Mahdi" "Omdurman" and all that.

Jim McDougall · 10th June 2008, 10:27 PM

This dagger is most definitely Sudanese, and probably an early to mid 20th century interpretation of those fashioned by Mahdist armourers during those conflicts. The basic form reflects the kindjhals often carried by Turco-Egyptian troops, which was often imitated by local smiths and an example of this exact type blade is shown in the catalog for the Kendall Collection exhibition (Linz & Schallaberg, Austria, 2001-2002).

The bifurcated blade of course is intended as an interpretation reflecting the very sacred Sword used by Muhammed, Dhu'l Faqar, and the thuluth script acid etched on the blade is typical of those on Sudanese edged weapons associated with the Mahdist period

Tim Simmons · 11th June 2008, 09:37 PM

Freddy, I have just gambled on this. I do believe I can see a version of the inscription "The conqueror, salvation unto him" so we both have things to compere. I have a similar axe pretty much the same size 26 inches long but without the copper? inlay.

Jim McDougall · 11th June 2008, 11:41 PM

"...axes were popular among the Mahdist troops, and many were used in the butchery of Khartoum when the city fell"

"...some had elegant crescent shaped blades", further, "...the grips are normally wrapped in crocodile skin".

"Ten Years of Captivity in the Mahdis Camp"
F.R.Wingate, Cairo, 1892

A highly decorative example has its entire surface covered with elaborate acide etched 'thuluth' with additional brass calligraphic inlays.
Kendall, 2001

Freddy · 12th June 2008, 09:56 AM

Nice axe, Tim.

As promised here are the pics. I just received the piece and it looks great. I hope someone can read the text.

It still has its original leather covered wooden scabbard. This knife is sharp and functional.

11th June 2008, 09:37 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Freddy, I have just gambled on this. I do believe I can see a version of the inscription "The conqueror, salvation unto him" so we both have things to compere. I have a similar axe pretty much the same size 26 inches long but without the copper? inlay. Attached Images

12th June 2008, 09:56 AM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	new pics Nice axe, Tim. As promised here are the pics. I just received the piece and it looks great. I hope someone can read the text. It still has its original leather covered wooden scabbard. This knife is sharp and functional.

9th June 2008, 06:18 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Nice and very interesting! When you get it post better pictures showing the script.

9th June 2008, 06:34 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Looks old, no ?

9th June 2008, 07:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Looks old and African, if I say Sudan it will be in the old sense of the word far more than the "Mahdi" "Omdurman" and all that.

10th June 2008, 10:27 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	This dagger is most definitely Sudanese, and probably an early to mid 20th century interpretation of those fashioned by Mahdist armourers during those conflicts. The basic form reflects the kindjhals often carried by Turco-Egyptian troops, which was often imitated by local smiths and an example of this exact type blade is shown in the catalog for the Kendall Collection exhibition (Linz & Schallaberg, Austria, 2001-2002). The bifurcated blade of course is intended as an interpretation reflecting the very sacred Sword used by Muhammed, Dhu'l Faqar, and the thuluth script acid etched on the blade is typical of those on Sudanese edged weapons associated with the Mahdist period

11th June 2008, 11:41 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,284	"...axes were popular among the Mahdist troops, and many were used in the butchery of Khartoum when the city fell" "...some had elegant crescent shaped blades", further, "...the grips are normally wrapped in crocodile skin". "Ten Years of Captivity in the Mahdis Camp" F.R.Wingate, Cairo, 1892 A highly decorative example has its entire surface covered with elaborate acide etched 'thuluth' with additional brass calligraphic inlays. Kendall, 2001