A Berber saber?

FenrisWolf · 10th February 2007, 05:34 PM

Just picked this up on ebay; listed as a Nimcha, I believe it's a Berber saber. It doesn't have the pierced pommel I've seen in some illustrations, but that could be a tribal difference. Is anyone familiar with this particular style of hilt? The blade is almost certainly European, though apparently has no markings (at least none were mentioned by the seller).

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2007, 06:58 PM

This could be SEA? shame there is no scabbard.

FenrisWolf · 10th February 2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

This could be SEA? shame there is no scabbard.

SEA? As in South East Asia? The wire wrap is reminiscent of a Bousaadi knife, but I know that's not unique, as many curltures use the same method...

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2007, 07:56 PM

I am probably wrong but this just struck me as South East Asian rather than North African. Something about the way the forte is ground with a curve and the whole curve of the weapon, handle decoration and shape. Just a feeling. A scabbard would help.

carlos · 10th February 2007, 08:55 PM

I THINK IS FROM SOUTH ASIA TOO, WHEN I SAW THE SWORD IN EBAY WAS THE FIRST I THOUGT. THE BLADE SEEMS LIKE IT WAS PART OF A MILITARY SABER?
REGARDS
CARLOS

Rick · 10th February 2007, 09:06 PM

A Berber sabre; the blade looks ex military to me.
There is the feel of a Nimcha hilt there and the square and nail work doesn't quite strike me as S.E.A.

ariel · 10th February 2007, 09:07 PM

Berber swords are classically characterised by 2 features:
1. pierced handle
2. reverse tip
Like that:
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=91
Sometimes, one feature may be different, but when both are absent, I would look for the origin of this sword somewhere else.

10th February 2007, 05:34 PM	#1
FenrisWolf Member Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 181	A Berber saber? Just picked this up on ebay; listed as a Nimcha, I believe it's a Berber saber. It doesn't have the pierced pommel I've seen in some illustrations, but that could be a tribal difference. Is anyone familiar with this particular style of hilt? The blade is almost certainly European, though apparently has no markings (at least none were mentioned by the seller).

10th February 2007, 08:55 PM	#5
carlos Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 755	S.A . I THINK IS FROM SOUTH ASIA TOO, WHEN I SAW THE SWORD IN EBAY WAS THE FIRST I THOUGT. THE BLADE SEEMS LIKE IT WAS PART OF A MILITARY SABER? REGARDS CARLOS

10th February 2007, 09:06 PM	#6
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Military Sabre A Berber sabre; the blade looks ex military to me. There is the feel of a Nimcha hilt there and the square and nail work doesn't quite strike me as S.E.A. Attached Images

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10th February 2007, 06:58 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	This could be SEA? shame there is no scabbard.

10th February 2007, 07:56 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,922	I am probably wrong but this just struck me as South East Asian rather than North African. Something about the way the forte is ground with a curve and the whole curve of the weapon, handle decoration and shape. Just a feeling. A scabbard would help.

10th February 2007, 09:07 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Berber swords are classically characterised by 2 features: 1. pierced handle 2. reverse tip Like that: http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=91 Sometimes, one feature may be different, but when both are absent, I would look for the origin of this sword somewhere else.