African (Sudanese) Kaskara Broadsword, Late 19th C

The form of the kaskara dates back to the Crusades, when European knights brought their broad straight-bladed swords to fight against the Muslim occupants of the Holyland. Many of these swords were left behind and used by the people of Northeastern Africa. While local craftsmen eventually learned to make swords of their own, on rare occasions a European medieval blade is found with a 19th C hilt. Tens of thousands of kaskaras were used by the troops of the Mad Madhi, Muhammad Ahmad, in his uprising against the Anglo-Egyptians. Despite facing modern firearms and artillery, they achieved much success, culminating in the capture of Khartoum in 1885 and the death of the British Commander, General Gordon. Though the Madhi himself died only 6 months later, his followers continued under the leadership of his chief deputy, Abdallahi ibn Muhammad, eventually establishing an Islamic caliphate under modified Sharia law. Known as the Khalifa, it was dedicated to expanding Islam throughout the region. It was eventually defeated by the British under General Kitchener at the Battle of Omdurman in 1898, with tens of thousands of the Madhi’s followers falling to the British machineguns. It was estimated that some 30,000 kaskaras were gathered up on the battlefield and sent back to Britain as war trophies. Imagine the one-sided contest of soldiers armed only with wood and hide shields and a medieval style sword attacking an entrenched position of trained soldiers armed with repeating rifles and machineguns. This example features a larger-than-usual heavy 38 ½" straight double-edged blade with raised etched Islamic writing over its entire length. Hilt of typical form with straight brass cruciform guard featuring expanded quillons and double langets. Wood grip and disk pommel, covered with remains of original leather wrap, mostly on the pommel. Overall length 43 ½".