Barbary corsairs/swords

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

RhysMichael · 23rd July 2008, 11:01 PM

Last one for a bit lest you all get tired of me posting pictures

Khair ad Din AKA One of the Barbarosa Brothers from a work reference to be from Helen Chapin Metz

TVV · 24th July 2008, 05:27 AM

Here are two nimchas, from a Bulgarian private collection (unfortunately not mine), who have always struck me as very suitable for a pirate weapon. One of them is actually similar to the Hopsonn sword. I believe they were collected in Bulgaria - there must have been serious movement of people and weapons in the Ottoman Empire back in the day.

23rd July 2008, 01:12 AM	#2
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	#4
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	#5
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, 11:01 PM	#6
RhysMichael Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Virginia Posts: 520	Last one for a bit lest you all get tired of me posting pictures Khair ad Din AKA One of the Barbarosa Brothers from a work reference to be from Helen Chapin Metz Attached Images

23rd July 2008, 12:24 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,458	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	#3
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,184	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!

24th July 2008, 05:27 AM	#7
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,666	Here are two nimchas, from a Bulgarian private collection (unfortunately not mine), who have always struck me as very suitable for a pirate weapon. One of them is actually similar to the Hopsonn sword. I believe they were collected in Bulgaria - there must have been serious movement of people and weapons in the Ottoman Empire back in the day.