sword i bid on, but dident meet the reserve.

[chevalier]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180261266822






best looking nimcha ive seen.

[RhysMichael]

Originally Posted by chevalier

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=180261266822


best looking nimcha ive seen.

A nice Saif/Nimcha. We need to get Artzi and Jim to weigh in here on the term Nimcha/Nimsha. While this one is often called a Nimcha I have been led to believe that Saif is a more correct term for them

[Battara]

I think this would be classified as nimcha - and you should see Rsword's nimcha - that is the best I have ever seen or heard of.....

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by RhysMichael

A nice Saif/Nimcha. We need to get Artzi and Jim to weigh in here on the term Nimcha/Nimsha. While this one is often called a Nimcha I have been led to believe that Saif is a more correct term for them

Thanks very much RhysMichael,
The term nim'sha is indeed meant to specify a short sword in Arabic (as noted in Elgood, "Arabian Arms and Armour") and it is but one instance of many misnomers used by collectors in describing weapons. The term sa'if is the generally applied Arabic term for sword, general, not otherwise specified.

The term 'nimcha' for the familiar multiquilloned sabre of Morocco is now firmly engrained in standard collectors terminology, though they typically carry full length sabre blades.

The example that Chevalier has posted falls into the nimcha category, but is not from Morocco, actually with the ring guard it is of the form typically considered Arabian, but these were usually made in Zanzibar (see "Catalogue de la Collection d'Armes Anciennes of Charles Buttin" , Rumilly, France, 1933, examples 996-1002). Artzi can definitely say more on these, as the one I have was obtained from him, and he is far more up on details than I.

Best regards,
Jim

[RhysMichael]

So if I am not too far off the multiquillion variety from Morocco is usually called a Nimcha though that term may have originally meant a short sword, and been improperly used in early sword texts ( but now is the normal description) The ring guards like this usually come from Zanzibar so the arab term Saif is more appropriate. Or am I misinterpreting this ?


Moroccan ??
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...02920/ph-5.jpg
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...00108/ph-1.jpg


Zanzibar and Arabia ??
http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...01485/ph-1.jpg

http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/photo...00093/ph-2.jpg

or maybe I am splitting hairs

Then there is the short sword sometimes called a wedding nimcha
http://therionarms.com/sold/ttoy100.JPG

And I have mentioned it here before but in the collection of pirate artifacts displayed at a resturant in Charleston SC called "Queen Anne's Revenge" there is a sword with a hilt and quillions of a Nimcha and the blade of a Takouba

Originally Posted by Battara

I and you should see Rsword's nimcha - that is the best I have ever seen or heard of.....

He does get some amazing swords. Its enough to make me jealouse ~lol~

[ward]

I agree it is not moroccan nice piece. Saif is just a transliteration of the arabic word for sword.

[Rick]

What would we call this one with a backsword blade; Sayf ?
I would think so .

I've always understood the ring guards to indicate locations other than Morocco and Algeria .

[RhysMichael]

A nice sword Rick

Artzi Posted this on another forum

Zanzibar was for a long time during the 19 C. a center for weapon production for the Arab world. Blades were purchased from Germany or forged locally, and mounted in the style common in the customer’s countries and cultures.

I remember seeing one Nimcha/Saif with an Andrea Ferara blade and some with eyelash markings that could show they were soligen