clunker saif?

[Pukka Bundook]

Got an old battered sword at the local gun-sale,
No pictures yet, (Will have to read up on how to post them)
Somewhat crude hilt, with nuckle guard, and very rough horn 'pistol grip' handle
top quillon bent acutely forward, over the upper of two hooks, ...(like rings to protect a finger when over the cross )
These two 'hooks' have an extension, that stand out at right-angles to the blade.( to the right of blade)
Blade curved, central fuller, sharp false edge for maybe 6 inches, Round tip, but possibly broken off.
Blade very spring, But quite bent!!.....26 1/2 inches long.
Blade marked "Genoa".........but the 'N' is backwards!!.........so a faked mark.
also has 'eyelashes' all the way down to false edge on both sides.

Over-all condition is a bit crude and pitted, but rust must have been removed with an electric wire brush just for the sale!!
Is it worth posting a picture or two?
or has anyone seen this sort of thing before?

Thanks, Richard.

[Pukka Bundook]

Here are the pictures that go with my last post.
I would appreciate any light you may be able to shed on what we have here!!
Many thanks,
Richard.

[FenrisWolf]

Any time you want to get rid of that 'clunker', I'm sure you'll find someone to take it off your hands. That particular style of hilt belongs to a 'Nimcha'; a Berber sword, almost always seen with a European blade. It's also not uncommon to see tribal markings added to the blade at the time the hilt was attached, so you probably still have one on your sword, it's just been dressed up a bit. The odd quillions and the pseudo-pistol grip hilt are typical, though most I've seen are flat, without the projections rising perpendicular to the blade.

Even in rough shape like this it's nice to have as an example of type in your collection. Ones in decent shape tend to be quite pricey.

[Pukka Bundook]

Thank you Sir, for the reply.
After posting the pictures, I did see a similar example in an old 1978 Arms and armour review.
Felt somewhat embarrased not knowing the correct name!
I have the odd question;
1,
Can you tell me what the projections perpendicular to the blade are for?
2,
Is it possible to give an approximate age to this sword?
3,
Does anyone know of a source of information about Nimchas?
(I don't like to be ignorant!!)
4,
Would it be possible for someone to PM me with a Very approximat value?

( Purchasing it at auction, in a lot with cleaning rods and a walking stick has me wondering if I robbed myself or not!)
Thank you for your time,
Richard.

[FenrisWolf]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Thank you Sir, for the reply.
After posting the pictures, I did see a similar example in an old 1978 Arms and armour review.
Felt somewhat embarrased not knowing the correct name!
I have the odd question;
1,
Can you tell me what the projections perpendicular to the blade are for?
2,
Is it possible to give an approximate age to this sword?
3,
Does anyone know of a source of information about Nimchas?
(I don't like to be ignorant!!)
4,
Would it be possible for someone to PM me with a Very approximat value?

( Purchasing it at auction, in a lot with cleaning rods and a walking stick has me wondering if I robbed myself or not!)
Thank you for your time,
Richard.

I will tell you what little I know, and hopefully Jim or one of the other board members who is more knowledgable (and has access to references I do not!) can fill in any blanks (and correct any mistakes!)

1. The projections are, I believe, an additional knuckleguard. I have seen one of these where they arced across and formed a complete ring, but most are flat.

2. Most of these that I've seen date to the mid-1800s. There were a couple of weapons forms that seemed to evolve and disappear very quickly.

3. This is one where the people with reference books will have to help you out. What little I know I've gleaned here and there, but I don't have any good sources.

One thing you can do is go do Google Image Search and look up 'nimcha'. Click on any pictures that resemble your sword and if the page is still up you may find some information that way.

4. I'll PM you on this one.

[Rick]

5. Enter nimcha into this forum's search engine for previous threads on these swords .