Zanzibar?

[Marcus]

I just purchased this item from Oriental Arms:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6136

Described as:

A very unusual and interesting Arab sword, also known as Saif. It reminds the famous Moroccan Nimcha, but although the hilt style is similar, this sword is coming from the South Arabian peninsula, and it is believed to be produced in the island of Zanzibar in the 19th C. The single edge curved blade is 30 inches long marked with a maker sign, probably of European origin. The grip is cut and beautifully shaped from a solid piece of black horn . The hilt is of unusual design and has a big steel ring forged in one piece with the cross guard and the “D” guard. Total length 36 inches. Very good condition. Very good untouched and homogenous patina on the blade. No scabbard. The attribution to Zanzibar comes from the characterized design of the hilt but we could not find any substantiation to it.

Over the years, Artzi has sold 15 other items of similar description (see list below), all with the same qualified association to Zanzibar. Does anyone know of a source which will confirm or reject this association?



http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2695
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3516
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3977
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5882
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=4470
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5048
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3864
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1485
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=4101
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3894
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=93
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2248
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1136
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1243
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1376

Marcus