A Berber saber?

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2007, 07:58 PM

This could be SEA? shame there is no scabbard.

FenrisWolf · 10th February 2007, 08:37 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, 08:56 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, 09:55 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, 10:06 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, 10:07 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.

Tim Simmons · 10th February 2007, 10:17 PM

Groovy pics. This is getting interesting. I still say the handle is not N African, the decoration is also far from N. African. Just look at how dramatic the curve is at the forte. I would also say that by N. African swords this has a rather primitive or even what could be seen as crude construction and decoration. I hope that does not upset anyone. The decoration looks like the far eastern islands of Indonesia to me.

Joe · 10th February 2007, 10:42 PM

Hmmm, does anybody know where checkerboard patterns were used as decorations on sword handles? That may provide a clue.

Btw, these two are owned by Adam Rose. One has a regular tip, and the other has a very slight concave tip.

10th February 2007, 09:55 PM	#4
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, 10:06 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,378	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

10th February 2007, 10:17 PM	#7
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	Groovy pics. This is getting interesting. I still say the handle is not N African, the decoration is also far from N. African. Just look at how dramatic the curve is at the forte. I would also say that by N. African swords this has a rather primitive or even what could be seen as crude construction and decoration. I hope that does not upset anyone. The decoration looks like the far eastern islands of Indonesia to me. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 10th February 2007 at 10:34 PM.

10th February 2007, 10:42 PM	#8
Joe Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: McDonough, GA Posts: 48	Hmmm, does anybody know where checkerboard patterns were used as decorations on sword handles? That may provide a clue. Btw, these two are owned by Adam Rose. One has a regular tip, and the other has a very slight concave tip. Attached Images

10th February 2007, 07:58 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	This could be SEA? shame there is no scabbard.

10th February 2007, 08:56 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,930	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, 10:07 PM	#6
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.