Rare Mahdist Prestige Throwing Knife

The Mahdist movement in Suan in the late 19 C. employed Prestige blades copying arms from a variety of cultures, from Africa as well as from the Middle East. These blades were held by high rank commanders and army leaders as an emblem of power. Such Mahdist weapons were commonly acid etched with” Thuluth” imitating Arabic script.

The Mahdist Throwing Knife offered here is modeled after a throwing blade from the Sudanese Nile Region. All around etched with thuluth script. The handle is made off two wood pieces bound with leather strip covering only its center. Probably remains of leather strip that covered the entire length of the handle.

Length 25 inches (63.5 cm). Very good condition. Late 19 C.

See also a discussion of this type of Throwing Knives: P. Westerdijk “The African Throwing Knife” Paragraph IV examples 8,9,10.