Trying to find notes and references on hand, it seems that these 'Moroccan sa'if' (commonly termed 'nimchas' by collectors) actually date often well into the 17th century. There was always considerable conflict with British merchant vessels being attacked and plundered by the fabled Barbary Pirates, and certainly many weapons were acquired.
However, there was equally a considerable import of weapons, especially blades, into Morocco from these times throughout the 19th century. In looking at many examples of 'nimchas' which of course carry the traditional multiquilloned hilts and mounts, the blades reflect many sources, and many forms of which most are European. It seems that the sabre type blades as seen here were not the only blades mounted, but straight blades were as well.
Most of the sabre type blades seem to range from hollow ground cavalry blades of the 19th century, to triple fullered types typically believed unmarked and from Solingen. This quadruple fuller seems atypical and seems European, but does not correspond to English blades I have seen.
It does seem late 18th to early 19th century.
While it seems that there were some blade making centers in Morocco, it would seem more for knives and daggers, while sword blades were mostly European imports. It would appear that blades were given a rather wide range of spurious identities alluding to the quality European makers of blades known and the armourers were adept at interpreting these. We know that ANDREA FERARA marked blades and examples with sickle marks and even the word GENOA spuriously stamped are found in many nimchas which seem to be of these times.
On some of these blades three crosses appear on triple fullered blades just below the fullers, and in roughly the same location as the stamp on this sword. On the obverse side is found the familiar crescent moon.
Although I have never seen a stamp such as this with the word LONDON stamped, it does not rule out possible stamping by native armourers, who as noted, appear to have become adept as creating such stamps. The triple crowns recall the three cross arrangement with British style, and as noted, not consistant with stamps I have seen on any English blades, appearing quite spurious from what I can see.
This is what I would believe at this point with what information I have at hand, and as always, hope somebody might have information on British blades with such a stamp. The style of lettering certainly does 'look' British! but in the late 18th century, blades were stamped with makers name, as well as acceptance marks, and not 'exported' as far as I know, commercially.
All best regards,
Jim
|