Original British 21st Lancers Omdurman Battle Memento – 1898 Original Items

Original Item: One-of-a-kind. This handsome knife was originally a Dervish throat cutting dagger carried by a Sudanese warrior. These warriors killed General Gordon at Khartoum in 1885 and that were finally defeated by General Kitchener at the Battle of Omdurman on the 2nd of September, 1898.

In 1898 the 21st Lancers served in the Mahdist War in the Sudan, as the only British cavalry unit involved. It was here that the full regiment charged with lances in the classic cavalry style during the Battle of Omdurman. Of less than 400 men involved in the charge 70 were killed and wounded and the regiment won three Victoria Crosses. This spectacular encounter earned considerable public attention and praise for the regimen.

“Omdurman” was the regiment’s only battle honor, giving rise to the satirical regimental motto of “thou shalt not kill.” That same year, the regiment was given the title 21st (Empress of India’s) Lancers, taking the name from Queen Victoria who was the Empress of India. After the battle the rebels had suffered 23,000 killed and wounded and the British just 429 of which only 47 were fatalities.

This Dervish hooked dagger with both edges originally razor sharp was usually bound to a warrior’s left forearm for easy access in close quarter combat. Its leather sheath remains as well as the 6.5” curved blade. Measures 10” overall. The original grip has been replaced with a most fabulous embossed British Lancer’s horse’s head neck and mane to form the dagger’s hilt.

The blade is crudely etched OMDURMAN together with the “Crossed Lances” motif of the 21st Lancer’s Regiment.

Recovered on the battlefield this lancer inscribed the blade and when back in England had this magnificent hilt attached so it could be used as a letter opener or even a small weapon for self defense.

This is one of the finest battle souvenir relics we have ever offered.