Barbary corsairs/swords

RhysMichael · 22nd July 2008, 11:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I really look forward to seeing Barbary Pirates illustrations, and lets see some nimchas!!!

All best regards,
Jim

From the collection at the Maritime Museum in London

Quote:

Maghreb nimcha, which belonged to Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn (1642-1717). The hilt of the nimcha consists of a brass knuckle-guard, which is formed by a long, curved, down turned quillon. The opposite quillon ends short and is turned up. The nimcha has a brass langet and an embryo pas d'ane ring. The grip consists of a fluted dark brown material, which is covered with chased silver-plating originally having two rubies or other jewels mounted near the pommel. The flat-backed steel blade is slightly curved with a hatchet point, and two deep grooves. Family tradition has it that Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn 'when Lieutenant about 1670, boarded a Turkish ship and, being the first on board, the Captain of that vessel was in the act of cutting him down when he arrested the stroke, wrenched the sabre from his opponent's hand and slew him with his own weapon'. It is probable that the enemy ship was an Algerian corsair and the action took place about 1676 when Hopsonn was a First Lieutenant on the 'Dragon' in the Mediterranean. Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Hopsonn (1642-1717) was born on the Isle of Wight in 1642 and entered the Royal Navy in about 1662. He became Vice-Admiral of the White in 1701-1702. He distinguished himself at the attack on the French-Spanish fleet at Vigo on the 12th October 1702 and was knighted by the Queen in the same year. He later became MP for Newton, Isle of Wight and died in 1717 aged 75.

E1270, Nimcha (sword)
© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

Atlantia · 22nd July 2008, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

From the collection at the Maritime Museum in London

E1270, Nimcha (sword)
© National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London

And is there any of us that don't dream of having a weapon with a story like that behind it?

What a cracker that one is!

RhysMichael · 23rd July 2008, 12:12 AM

A painting of Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha

Jim McDougall · 23rd July 2008, 12:24 AM

Nicely done RhysMichael!!!Excellent references and links, and the provenance on that nimcha is exactly what I was hoping for. The National Maritime Museum does have wonderful resources (sure wish I had a copy of May & Annis here with me, there are some great illustrations in there).

Fernando, I had never heard of crossbows on these corsair vessels, thank you for noting that, we'll look into that more too.

Thanks very much guys,
Jim

fernando · 23rd July 2008, 01:12 AM

Crossbows were a common device among Berberes and Arabs.
These are two examples extracted from ancient portolanos showing the flag of Béjaïa, a city and province in the Algerine Barbary Coast, where piracy was a way of life.

M ELEY · 23rd July 2008, 03:41 AM

Excellent information,gents! RhysMichael, great stuff! When I get more time, I'll look more deeply into the listed links. I'd read about Hoppson's exploits somewhere else, but never got to actually see the nimcha itself. It's nice to see one of this early dating matching its later counterparts exactly.Thanks!

Fernando, thanks for the mention of crossbows. Fascinating! On the link that Rick attached, it does show a Corsair with a crossbow. When I first saw it (before reading your comment and seeing the reference to flags), I just figured it was another farsical European depiction of a Berber. Too cool! In thinking about it, it makes perfect sense. Firearms were fairly scarce for many of these poor pirats (except what they could capture from others-note the pic of Barbarossa above with the captured European sword). many of the Maghreb weapons were primitive matchlock devices, so a crossbow would be a welcome alternative. Likewise, it was a silent weapon. When Stephen Decatur snuck into Tripoli in 1804 to destroy the captured U.S. warship, it was under a veil of silence. He allowed his men no firearms in fear of an accidental ignition and all bladed arms had to remain sheathed as not to reflect moonlight and give away their position. In keeping with this theme, the crossbow would have been an ideal pirating weapon to sneak over the side of a ship with. Very cool!

RhysMichael · 23rd July 2008, 07:17 PM

The Joassamee Pirates striking off the arm of Capt. Babcock. From THE PIRATES OWN BOOK Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated SeaRobbers.
by Charles Ellms
Originally published 1837

RhysMichael · 23rd July 2008, 07:23 PM

From DEWEY AND OTHER NAVAL COMMANDERS.
BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M., Copyright, 1899

CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE AND THE DEY OF ALGIERS

23rd July 2008, 12:12 AM	#3
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	A painting of Barbarossa Hayreddin Pasha Attached Images

23rd July 2008, 01:12 AM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Crossbows were a common device among Berberes and Arabs. These are two examples extracted from ancient portolanos showing the flag of Béjaïa, a city and province in the Algerine Barbary Coast, where piracy was a way of life. Attached Images

23rd July 2008, 07:17 PM	#7
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	The Joassamee Pirates striking off the arm of Capt. Babcock. From THE PIRATES OWN BOOK Authentic Narratives of the Most Celebrated SeaRobbers. by Charles Ellms Originally published 1837 Attached Images

23rd July 2008, 07:23 PM	#8
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	From DEWEY AND OTHER NAVAL COMMANDERS. BY EDWARD S. ELLIS, A.M., Copyright, 1899 CAPTAIN BAINBRIDGE AND THE DEY OF ALGIERS Attached Images

23rd July 2008, 12:24 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,281	Nicely done RhysMichael!!!Excellent references and links, and the provenance on that nimcha is exactly what I was hoping for. The National Maritime Museum does have wonderful resources (sure wish I had a copy of May & Annis here with me, there are some great illustrations in there). Fernando, I had never heard of crossbows on these corsair vessels, thank you for noting that, we'll look into that more too. Thanks very much guys, Jim

23rd July 2008, 03:41 AM	#6
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,158	Excellent information,gents! RhysMichael, great stuff! When I get more time, I'll look more deeply into the listed links. I'd read about Hoppson's exploits somewhere else, but never got to actually see the nimcha itself. It's nice to see one of this early dating matching its later counterparts exactly.Thanks! Fernando, thanks for the mention of crossbows. Fascinating! On the link that Rick attached, it does show a Corsair with a crossbow. When I first saw it (before reading your comment and seeing the reference to flags), I just figured it was another farsical European depiction of a Berber. Too cool! In thinking about it, it makes perfect sense. Firearms were fairly scarce for many of these poor pirats (except what they could capture from others-note the pic of Barbarossa above with the captured European sword). many of the Maghreb weapons were primitive matchlock devices, so a crossbow would be a welcome alternative. Likewise, it was a silent weapon. When Stephen Decatur snuck into Tripoli in 1804 to destroy the captured U.S. warship, it was under a veil of silence. He allowed his men no firearms in fear of an accidental ignition and all bladed arms had to remain sheathed as not to reflect moonlight and give away their position. In keeping with this theme, the crossbow would have been an ideal pirating weapon to sneak over the side of a ship with. Very cool!