Maghrebi Moroccan Nimcha??

archer · 24th April 2012, 04:34 AM

Just came in today 28 3/4 inch " Damascus" blade. Is this the real deal or should I be looking for the Belly Dancer? I assumed the pattern to have been etched onto the blade, but, some areas are very strangely smooth yet have a vague pattern in those smoothed areas and in the fuller. What do you make of it? Possible blade origins? thanks, Steve

kahnjar1 · 24th April 2012, 05:27 AM

Hi Steve,
Yes Moroccan Nimcha/Saif. The handle could be a replacement by the look of it. Blade looks genuine enough but I can't comment on the damascus. Someone with more expertise than I will no doubt give you the answer you are hoping for.
Fire the Bellydancer---she is not needed

Regards Stu

ariel · 24th April 2012, 08:03 AM

The pattern is not etched, it is 100% real mechanical damascus. Originally it had a "bas relief" effect, with deep undulating furrows. But it was very aggressively smoothed over, and some pics show islets of the original surface. I think it was intentional, to achieve a conventionally-even surface, but IMHO, the original must have been stunningly pretty.
There is no indication that the saber was maliciously assembled from spare parts, everything looks very original. You got yourself a "cut-above-the-rest" Maghrebi Saif. Congratulations!

Iain · 24th April 2012, 08:57 AM

What ariel said. The decorated guard is also a cut above many examples and a good fit for this blade. A very nice example and certainly well above the average nimcha seeen.

Rick · 24th April 2012, 02:28 PM

Go find the belly dancer; I'll hold the sword ...

A.alnakkas · 24th April 2012, 02:37 PM

Very nice piece Steve!

I am aswell interested in knowing the origin of the blade! but probably european?

24th April 2012, 04:34 AM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Maghrebi Moroccan Nimcha?? Just came in today 28 3/4 inch " Damascus" blade. Is this the real deal or should I be looking for the Belly Dancer? I assumed the pattern to have been etched onto the blade, but, some areas are very strangely smooth yet have a vague pattern in those smoothed areas and in the fuller. What do you make of it? Possible blade origins? thanks, Steve Attached Images

24th April 2012, 05:27 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,728	Hi Steve, Yes Moroccan Nimcha/Saif. The handle could be a replacement by the look of it. Blade looks genuine enough but I can't comment on the damascus. Someone with more expertise than I will no doubt give you the answer you are hoping for. Fire the Bellydancer---she is not needed Regards Stu

24th April 2012, 08:03 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	The pattern is not etched, it is 100% real mechanical damascus. Originally it had a "bas relief" effect, with deep undulating furrows. But it was very aggressively smoothed over, and some pics show islets of the original surface. I think it was intentional, to achieve a conventionally-even surface, but IMHO, the original must have been stunningly pretty. There is no indication that the saber was maliciously assembled from spare parts, everything looks very original. You got yourself a "cut-above-the-rest" Maghrebi Saif. Congratulations!

24th April 2012, 08:57 AM	#4
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,680	What ariel said. The decorated guard is also a cut above many examples and a good fit for this blade. A very nice example and certainly well above the average nimcha seeen.

24th April 2012, 02:28 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,262	Go find the belly dancer; I'll hold the sword ...

24th April 2012, 02:37 PM	#6
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,338	Very nice piece Steve! I am aswell interested in knowing the origin of the blade! but probably european?