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 are 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 a bigger than usual. 13 1/2 inches long, compared to 11-12 in the more common ones. Blade is beautifully forged, deadly sharp with three central fullers. The handle is carved from African Black Wood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) with ivory separators, ivory pommel disk and silver pommel cap. Scabbard is tooled leather with reptile skin, probably crocodile skin. Thick arm loop composed of twisted leather strips.

Blade 9 1/2 inches. Very good condition, very minor and shallow pitted spots on the blade. Good quality and very complete arm dagger in very good condition. Authentic, early 20 C. artifact

For similar dagger see: W. Fischer, M. A. Zirngibl AFRICAN WEAPONS page 50