A Nimcha

[kahnjar1]

Hi Blue Lander,
Looks to me like possible Moroccan origin, though I think Moroccan Nimcha usually have 4 quillons, two each edge of blade. Apart from that I can not tell you anything, but no doubt there will be other replies with more information.
Stuart

[blue lander]

Interesting, thank you. I looked for any evidence of more snapped off quillions, but I only saw the one missing on the top.

Does anybody know how thick nimcha blades are typically, or do they vary?

[blue lander]

Speaking of nimcha markings, here's pictures of two of the nimchas I didn't win. The first one, I assume, is a British blade from the reign of Queen Victoria (I wonder how that ended up in a nimcha), but I can't make heads or tails of the second one.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Speaking of nimcha markings, here's pictures of two of the nimchas I didn't win. The first one, I assume, is a British blade from the reign of Queen Victoria (I wonder how that ended up in a nimcha), but I can't make heads or tails of the second one.

Salaams blue lander...I meant to reply earlier...Your two swords I suspect are Red Sea variants.. The details are both interesting though I know loads of swords were fitted in Yemen with Karabela hilts.. wrongly nicknamed by me as falcon heads despite the likeness...The squigles on the second blade look like an attempt to copy the Peter Munich style of decor.. see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=peter+munich
Blades of European provenance are commonly appearing now as Yemeni traders sell big lots in bulk to regional markets including the main souks of Oman and UAE.
The bladesmiths at Ras al Khaimah are famous for adding the VR Crown called locally "Taj" to any blade that has a vague chance of fetching a few extra dollars through its vague association with this design..

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[blue lander]

Huh, I would have never thought that those marks were locally applied. Thank you. Do you have any thoughts on the unmarked nimcha on my first post? There are three or four delaminations on the blade by the fullers that make me think it wasn't European manufacture.

[A.alnakkas]

I dont see a reason why these are locally applied. Omani's do apply a crown on their recently made weapons but we are talking about North African weapons here and North African weapons tend to have European blades quite often.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

I dont see a reason why these are locally applied. Omani's do apply a crown on their recently made weapons but we are talking about North African weapons here and North African weapons tend to have European blades quite often.

Hi Lofty,
Actually these triple fuller blades do not correspond to blades on any British swords I can think of during the Victorian period (1837-1901) and a large stamp like this would not have been applied in the center of the blade in this manner The only blades with the VR cypher were officers and those were etched in the blade. Acceptance stamps using crown and initials were small and near forte, usually GR. In the Victorian period the acceptance stamps were WD post 1855 and BO and arrow prior.

This is a most impressive stamp, but not in accord with anything normally used on British blades, the blade form not withstanding. As always I look forward to information otherwise, but this is my personal experience.

Best regards,
Jim

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

I dont see a reason why these are locally applied. Omani's do apply a crown on their recently made weapons but we are talking about North African weapons here and North African weapons tend to have European blades quite often.

Salaams A.alnakkas . I think the reason that they are applied is to raise the price...or reflect some sort of recognisable, admirable prowess in the weapon. I have identified the workshop that adds Taj stamps in Ras Al Khaimah. I own a few myself. There are many blades either rehilted and stamped there or just rehilted... The latest one is a Karabela ~ I dont have a picture but the souk is on our doorstep (500 yards)so I will try to obtain. Many blades of European manufacture flood in through the Red Sea region not least rehilted Ethiopian (originally German) blades curved and straight, via Sanaa..Yemen. These blades now appear in quantity in Muscat, Salalah and Sharjah ...such is the situation these days.

It is, however, a bit puzzling since though we see Taj crowns they are not accompanied by the VR strike... at least I have not seen one yet.. In addition the crown style is not the same leading me to suggest a different stamp location ...who knows where? For examples of RAK stamps see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=omani+sayf at #318 and #326.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.