Very Good Arm Dagger from East Africa

Commonly known as arm dagger as it was worn on the upper arms with the aid of the plaited leather loop. Blade pointing up and handle down to allow a fast withdraw with the opposite hand. This type of daggers were spread over a wide geographical area, from South Egypt in the North, Somaliland in the east, South Sudan in the south and Chad in the west. Almost all tribes residing in this large part of Africa were using these daggers in a certain variant but all has the same general lines.

The arm dagger offered here is of a classical shape. Blade is beautifully forged, deadly sharp with three central fullers. The handle is carved from African Black Wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) bound with silver wire, filigree worked silver bands and silver russets and a silver pommel cap. Scabbard is tooled leather with reptile skin, and arm loop composed of twisted leather strips.

Blade 6 1/2 inches (17 cm). Total length 11 inches (28 cm).  Very good condition. Slight age shrink of the scabbard. Authentic, early 20 C. artifact