Nimcha (?) with European Blade for Comments

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Dom

Hi my Brot.

I'm backing completely what said Jim,
it's not a "nimcha" even if the general shape for the handle remind a bit ...
it's manifestly, a "Saïf"

about the letters, the form of it, it's called "English form"
the 4 letters could be read as well as : " N D I A" ...
I can not imagine, that what do you suppose being erased,
could might be, ... be an "I"

anyway, I love his rough aspect, a "Saïf for a warrior" not for a court representation ...
and it has his scabbard, that for me I consider as important

MABROUK, and all the best

à +

Dom

Shukran shaikh Dom

Is there a way to bring out the faded letters?

[Dom]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Shukran shaikh Dom

Is there a way to bring out the faded letters?

Allah y barifik
yes, several ways
- with numeric camera, focus function, then with small computer program , inverse black and white
- with graphic pencil, after have put a paper sheet, pass over, and over ...
the light pressure you will give, will empathize the surface anomalies,
and should reveled what is in hollow
- more ... worst pass over the blade some printing ink, and then with a roll (smooth surface) and a paper sheet, made a ... print

even if it's a solution, I don't advise it, or in extreme solution

à +

Dom

[A.alnakkas]

Ariel, Thanks. I think the scabbard also has similarity to the scabbards on zanzibari nimchas but thats not conclusive.

Can you share photos of the saif that the bedouin gave to you? I have a Palastinian saif in my collection, looks alot like a normal badawi saif but abit more crude and with a broad blade.

Dom, Will try the camera thingy but being a cave man, I doubt I'll know how to do it...

[Richard G]

Dear Mr Alnakkas,
I would agree with Ariel in suggesting South Arabia. The blade and scabbard on their own look as if they could have come from a "Zanzibar" saif. If that is the case the scabbard covering could have been black asses skin shrunken onto thread laid in scrolls etc. to give an embossed effect, often seen on the scabbards of Omani quattaras. I know this because I had one once.
Regards
Richard

[A.alnakkas]

Thanks Richard, I think so.. maybe the Zanzibari saif reached Sinai?

Pictures of one of my Zanzibari saif:

(Also added pictures of my Palastinian Saif.. Or atleast the scabbard decoration is very similar to common Palastinian design)