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1904.32.2.1

Dagger [.1] with two edged blade and flared wooden hilt, in a leather sheath [.2] with twisted leather arm loop. [SM 20/06/2007]

1904.32.2.1

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Collection type
Object
Description
Dagger [.1] with two edged blade and flared wooden hilt, in a leather sheath [.2] with twisted leather arm loop. [SM 20/06/2007]
Long description
Dagger [.1] with two edged blade and flared wooden hilt, in a leather sheath [.2] with twisted leather arm loop. The dagger has a deep groove with two shallower grooves in the centre of the blade. It is stamped on one surface near the blade with four star or cross shapes. The hilt is flared at both ends and has a central rib on both surfaces. Attached to the butt is a small hemispherical grey metal boss, which is held in place with an iron pin. The sheath is made of one piece of leather stitched together up the back. It is decorated on the front with impressed lines and a piece of leather has been bound around the mouth. The twisted leather arm loop is attached through a plaited leather loop at the mouth. [SM 20/06/2007]
Geographical reference
Sudan, Republic of
Africa > Northern Africa > Sudan, Republic of
Near Khartoum
Person
Field collector W.G. Digby
PRM source W.G. Digby
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1904
Date collected
By 1904
Acquisition information
Donated: 1904
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Animal Leather Skin, Material Metal, Material Iron Metal, Material Steel Metal, Process Forged (Metal), Process Carved, Process Stitched, Process Impressed, Process Stamped, Process Grooved
Dimensions
Width: max 63 mm dagger, Length: max 38 mm sheath, Length: max 260 mm dagger
Object numbers
Accession number: 1904.32.2.1 Accession number: 1904.32.2.2
Associated publications
Discussed on page 23 of Nigerian Panoply: Arms and Armour of the Northern Region, by A. D. H. Bihar (no place: Department of Antiquities, Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1964): '...only one was precisely documented as to origin. This had been presented to the collection by a Lieutenant W. G. Digby in 1904, and the label bore the comment "Found in Khartoum when the town was captured from the Dervishes." This particular weapon is a very broad knife, practically, so one may say, a trowel, perforated with a decoration in the form of a star and crescent, and surely intended for some ceremonial purpose. Here, at least, is a reasonable well-attested find-spot in the Nilotic Sudan.' [JC 10 10 2019].

Search terms: Weapon, Tool, Knife, Sheath, Dagger, Carrying Device