When yesterday is collapsing today
 

ethnography and "souvenirs"
I get an opportunity to acquire an Algerian dagger,
it's not its particularities as a dagger, or even its price, which pushed me to buy it
- the price was very overpriced for this quality
- as edged-weapon, it's a "short Nimcha - "Berber Kabylia" very average quality,
rough hilt and scabbard , the blade is not too bad, in quality

it is a edged-weapon of "parade",
used for celebrations such as weddings, or as decoration,
and even as, it's the case here, "souvenir"

few history to put this issue in its historical context
It turns out that from April 13, 1875 till October 13, 1878:
- that "Battalion the 8th" was deployed in Algeria
this same "8th Battalion ", has been my regiment, where I served as NCO during 28 months of my life
the "8th Hunters of Chase-Commando" ... the "SIDI-BRAHIM"

It turns out that this dagger has engraved on the scabbard
- FORT NATIONAL 1876 [/I]- National-Fort (960 m) High Kabylie
was a real place of war built in 1857, a time that spanned almost 12 years (including buildings and barracks)
- (on 2-lines) ANSEL FRANCOIS , then SOUVENIR D'aFRIQue
with Francois as a surname, it'll be difficult to know the region he was coming from, not very symptomatic, perhaps Burgundy
- (on 2 lines) 8è B and CHASSEUR - no doubt it's "MY" battalion, the 8th of Hunter

I am aware of the few interest on this dagger
just, some interest to me in fact, because it touches me somewhere, and awakens in me memories ...
but it was fun to have them shared with you, Thanks

à +

Dom

thanks for sharing
 

Thanks for sharing Dom.

This is exactly why I feel we all collect, it is becasue we feel a certain affinity to a weapons for what ever reasons may be but it is important. From the feeling to the obtaining it is all a path of learning no matter what direction this develops or what others think of said possessions.

This also makes me reflect of Spirals reply to Ariels post, it is important to you, that is the only question that must be answered with a resounding yes.

Great blade, good thickness and a great taper and it is important to you :-)

My best

Gav

As someone with a rather strong belief in predetermination, I can only say that I am of the opinion that you were meant to come into possession of this piece. :)

It has obviously reconnected you with a part of your own history, an experience that supersedes the item itself... Congratulations on finding a piece that resonates with you on such a personal level. :)

Congratulations Sheikh Dom! This is a very interesting piece its fortunate that you got it.

Thanks for sharing :)

yalotfi menak ya Lotfy (sorry, no translation) :p

à +

Dom

yet another curved kabyle knife/dirk, this one with a nimcha grip, otherwise very similar with mine with a more flyssa-like brass covered grip, which we discussed way back HERE.

http://myweb.tiscali.co.uk/gladius/flyssa.jpg

anopther 'nimcha' one similar to yours is shown HERE

the provenance on yours helps date these functional pre-touristy knives.

I kindda like it better when the hilt is long and rounded around...no corner or angel, so it doesn't the hand as much when you slam it down trying to hack someone. I guess that's why they make the dha hilt rounded around.

Hi Dom,

Very nice to see things come back in full circle. Congrats!
A question about the date though. Is the 1876 part of the name of the outpost or is it the date when Ansel Francois was posted there? If the latter is would date this specific version of dagger very nicely.

All the best,
Emanuel

Hi Emanuel
the date mentioned is when Francois Ansel has received or bought that dagger
(military service for 5 years in that period)
the erection of National-Fort started in 1857
when the last area of North Algeria has been defeated by the French troops and signed the end of the hostility, for that part of Algeria ...
temporarily peace for few years, hostilities began again in 1870/71
definitely, the date engraved is a precise indication for the dagger age

thanks for yours comments, and compliments :D

à +

Dom