Kaskara for Comment.

[Jim McDougall]

Valjhun, this is also a beauty!! Mostly as it is a true old warrior, and as Teodor has well observed, this crossguard with the distinctive 'X' in its center is characteristic it seems on the Darfur sa'ifs (kaskara).

Another characteristic for Darfur is the use of crocodile hide on the grips. I sometimes wonder if the also distinct harlequin pattern in silverwork grips on Darfur examples might be stylized representation of crocodile hide. Just a thought, despite the fact that the lozenge shape geometric is an element of the material culture symbolism in these regions, but mentioned just the same.

The blade is what is considered in some writings, a 'masri'. The distinct 'dukari' (opposed crescent moons) are characteristic, and it seems Briggs considers these of Hausa manufacture, probably from the west.
I would concur with the 19th century, possibly one of the early blades from about 1840's, these are not often found with this much patination and pitting. The blades were typically often refurbished as they changed hands in trade or inheritance.

Best regards,
Jim