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Originally Posted by Jim McDougall
Thank you for the replies Lofty and Ibrahiim.
I think the sa'if in #12 at top with chainguard is most likely Hadhramauti in accord with Elgood's notes in "Arabian Arms and Armour", which has sa'if with varying hilt forms and silverwork with chainguards. The sharply canted pommel cap seems to concur with other Arabian swords seen in that reference also.
The 'Zanzibari' reference to the second sword (#12) with raised ring crossguard characteristic of these 'nimchas' in popular classification and per Buttin does seem to fall in line with the sword Lofty has posted in comparing the hilt furnishings. I would be inclined to agree that typically the Bedouin or 'Palestinian' sabres do not have knuckleguards, and the hangers and sabres of Yemen do usually have the triple roundels in the grip. But here is the rub in properly identifying these blades which come from the Red Sea trade and have been refurbished through generations.
Zanzibari swords were apparantly highly imported in Yemen from there, the diffusion between Yemeni entrepots and Sinai trade centers would be quite understandable.
All best regards,
Jim
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Salaams Jim ~ This Buttin Nimcha family is a very large group of swords...Follow any one of the styles in a certain direction and as you say "Theres the rub" as first one small detail changes then a whole series of things happens and away goes the hilt ~ Im not at all clear as to the origins of the blade ? Was it from the Spanish Jinetta or did it originate in Italy Venice Genoa around the formation of the Schiavonas and did it not then transfer across the North African Pirates Coast via Algeria to Morocco?... Or did the whole thing swing the other way round... ?
Buttin never identified the Yemeni version as The Yemeni Nimcha, nor did he identify the Bedawi Nimcha or the Bedawi (Palestinian) Or am I missing something?
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.