Wonderful Sword from the Sudan with Lizardskin scabbard

 A  really interesting sword from the Sudan. The entire ensemble is covered with lizardskin, a feature typically found on weapons used by followers of the Mahdi during the rebellion against the British in the late 19th century. This example is in really excellent condition, and still retains the lizards head and feet mounted on the scabbard. The handle is also covered in the lizardskin. A single band made from crocodile skin supports a hanging ring made of copper. The blade inside is a very old European blade rarely found in this context and obviously a prized piece. The warrior who owned this sword presumably held some status. The blade features engraved letters and dots on both sides of the blade indicating the origin and manufacturer of the blade. 19th century, the blade 16th.