For what its worth, in my view, as mentioned earlier responding to the question on the 'nimcha' of Mwinyi Mkuu, the sword depicted in likely a combination of a nimcha hilt with Persian crossguard and not a 'form' itself.
Regarding the prescribed 'use' of sword forms by certain groups and for which uses, while of course there were some 'guidelines', there were not 'rules'.
As Teodor has noted, as I mentioned also in my previous post, the shamshir was a prestigious weapon not only in Oman and Zanzibar but in India and Central Asia. While obviously high end sabers of high quality, there were of course examples of lesser quality used by those of various station, though not likely rank and file.
The nimchas also are known in varied forms with similar hilt and quillon systems, and again in more ornate examples often high end swords of office or station, while simpler examples can be found in general use.
The cylindrical appearing hilt is a bit more complex, and though these have become known as kattara, the local term is simply sa'if. The kitara term applies to swords with this type hilt, but curved blade.
These straight blade sa'if with cylindrical open hilt seem to have evolved around 1800 from earlier swords of Omans interior (Nizwa) with quillons and other similar features. While these open hilt swords often with European broadsword blades and often embellished hilts and scabbards were again, worn as status symbols by Omani merchants into Zanzibar and the interior on trade expeditions, they were not used for fighting (Burton, 1884).
In the Busaidi dynasty in Zanzibar post 1820s, these open hilt broadswords with cylindrical hilts, were produced and used in ceremonial functions, including remarkably impressive demonstrations of swordsmanship. They were basic swords, but not used in combat. This was noted by Burton, a well known swordsman, that he could not imagine this type of sword used in combat.
Just my views of what often become highly contentious topics. Like Teodor, Ive spent 'a few years' studying these.
First example, munitions grade ceremonial sa'if
next, the 'kitara' with somewhat curved shorter blade
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