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Originally Posted by RhysMichael
A nice Saif/Nimcha. We need to get Artzi and Jim to weigh in here on the term Nimcha/Nimsha. While this one is often called a Nimcha I have been led to believe that Saif is a more correct term for them
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Thanks very much RhysMichael,
The term nim'sha is indeed meant to specify a short sword in Arabic (as noted in Elgood, "Arabian Arms and Armour") and it is but one instance of many misnomers used by collectors in describing weapons. The term sa'if is the generally applied Arabic term for sword, general, not otherwise specified.
The term 'nimcha' for the familiar multiquilloned sabre of Morocco is now firmly engrained in standard collectors terminology, though they typically carry full length sabre blades.
The example that Chevalier has posted falls into the nimcha category, but is not from Morocco, actually with the ring guard it is of the form typically considered Arabian, but these were usually made in Zanzibar (see "Catalogue de la Collection d'Armes Anciennes of Charles Buttin" , Rumilly, France, 1933, examples 996-1002). Artzi can definitely say more on these, as the one I have was obtained from him, and he is far more up on details than I.
Best regards,
Jim