While it is never pleasant to learn that a treasured piece is a copy, one as good as Kubur's is worthy of some analysis:
The buttcap and barrel band appear to be cast. I am aware of very few types of period Moroccan work which include this technique.
The wood is very smooth and appears to lack patina.
The engraving on the lock and barrel tang applique` are quite crisp and show no wear. The wire inlay combined with coral and turquoise inlay likewise show little wear.
The work on the barrel does not appear to be inlay; rather, it is copper or brass which has been melted into the engraved lines and polished flat to the surface. This technique is very common these days.
Most interestingly, however, is the fact that the copyist found a good, complete example on which to base his work, probably in a museum or perhaps even in a book. He has not varied much at all from the original form, and the quality of workmanship is quite good overall.
Modern work is most easily identified by the absence of original form; it displays varying degrees of "artistic invention," most of which is comically poor. Regretably, the trend spans the entire range of arms and armor.
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