Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · Yesterday, 06:58 PM

[QUOTE=Pertinax;297393][QUOTE=Jim McDougall;297386][QUOTE=Pertinax;297381]

Thank you for adding this Yuri, excellent and most salient comparison.
Here I will note that these obviously spurious markings on a European blade imported into the centers in the Maghreb, and ambitiously applied by a native trader, less than skillfully are understandably so. . What is important here is that native armorers often applied copies of European markings for their perceived 'magic' and the quality artistically was less important than the presence of the mark itself. On the blades of Eastern European sabers the markings are typically more well executed and follow certain conventions in application.

Jim, as I already wrote, I am not 100% sure that the blade on the nimche is European.

Hi Yuri,
As I have noted as well, in years I have found little evidence of sword blade manufacture in the Maghreb, however the exception would be the varied ranges of blades in the flyssa spectrum. These of course reflect the fact that armorers and smiths in North Africa certainly were capable of producing worthy blades, however typically, it is a matter of convenience and availability.

It seems that these circumstances had notable cases for example in Arabia where in earlier times the blades of Yemen were highly regarded, however those productions in later years seem to have focused on production of dagger blades. It seems likely it was much like this in the Maghreb.
Most references Ive seen note the import of various imports and volumes of blades from other sources.

Solingen and Klingenthal were export sources of large volume production, and I have never heard of such blade making centers anywhere in Africa. The closest thing would I imagine be the Hausa of Nigeria and Saharan regions who produced blades which diffused through trade networks. These are most familiar on takouba and kaskara and straight broadsword blades.

As always Im grateful for your valuable observations and great examples!
I will say that if such evidence of this type blade making existed, the Russian researchers have proven remarkable findings, and frankly I wish we had more access to their work.
Best regards
Jim

Yesterday, 06:58 PM	#9
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,210	[QUOTE=Pertinax;297393][QUOTE=Jim McDougall;297386][QUOTE=Pertinax;297381] Thank you for adding this Yuri, excellent and most salient comparison. Here I will note that these obviously spurious markings on a European blade imported into the centers in the Maghreb, and ambitiously applied by a native trader, less than skillfully are understandably so. . What is important here is that native armorers often applied copies of European markings for their perceived 'magic' and the quality artistically was less important than the presence of the mark itself. On the blades of Eastern European sabers the markings are typically more well executed and follow certain conventions in application. Jim, as I already wrote, I am not 100% sure that the blade on the nimche is European. Hi Yuri, As I have noted as well, in years I have found little evidence of sword blade manufacture in the Maghreb, however the exception would be the varied ranges of blades in the flyssa spectrum. These of course reflect the fact that armorers and smiths in North Africa certainly were capable of producing worthy blades, however typically, it is a matter of convenience and availability. It seems that these circumstances had notable cases for example in Arabia where in earlier times the blades of Yemen were highly regarded, however those productions in later years seem to have focused on production of dagger blades. It seems likely it was much like this in the Maghreb. Most references Ive seen note the import of various imports and volumes of blades from other sources. Solingen and Klingenthal were export sources of large volume production, and I have never heard of such blade making centers anywhere in Africa. The closest thing would I imagine be the Hausa of Nigeria and Saharan regions who produced blades which diffused through trade networks. These are most familiar on takouba and kaskara and straight broadsword blades. As always Im grateful for your valuable observations and great examples! I will say that if such evidence of this type blade making existed, the Russian researchers have proven remarkable findings, and frankly I wish we had more access to their work. Best regards Jim