Nimcha Blade Markings

Mehdi · 4th January 2024, 03:26 PM

Hi and a Happy New Year to all.
Please can anyone advise me on the markings of my Moroccan nimcha ?
Thanks very much

Ian · 4th January 2024, 03:43 PM

Mehdi,

Welcome to the Forum!

Please provide a picture of the complete sword. This is a requirement for a translation request.

Regards,

Ian.

Mehdi · 4th January 2024, 09:46 PM

Hi Ian and apologies. I hope these are acceptable. Best wishes.

TVV · 6th January 2024, 12:53 AM

Nice sword, thank you for sharing it with us. The markings, in this exact configuration, are actually fairly common on Moroccan swords from the 19th and early 20th century. I am not sure if they were applied locally, or if they were applied in Solingen, where such blades were produced in large quantities for export to North Africa. Like all other markings, they can probably be traced to markings on European blades from a few centuries earlier. In the 19th century the purpose of the markings was not so much as imitations, but rather as something that by that point would be familiar to locals and associated with quality - a symbol of quality of sorts.

Regards,
Teodor

Mehdi · 6th January 2024, 10:44 AM

Good morning Teodor and thanks for your help, I thought the ‘circular’ imprint might have been some form of inscription but these marks are to be taken as a whole for reasons as you say. Best wishes.

Lee · 6th January 2024, 02:08 PM

A very nice nimcha with respectable age! Celestial symbols are frequently found on blades made in Europe for export. The crecent moon symbol on this sword is of a form strongly suggesting European manufacture, but this symbol has since been widely copied on locally produced blades. These marks are frequently found on takouba and kaskara blades.

4th January 2024, 03:26 PM	#1
Mehdi Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 7	Nimcha Blade Markings Hi and a Happy New Year to all. Please can anyone advise me on the markings of my Moroccan nimcha ? Thanks very much Attached Images

4th January 2024, 09:46 PM	#3
Mehdi Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 7	Hi Ian and apologies. I hope these are acceptable. Best wishes. Attached Images

4th January 2024, 03:43 PM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,198	Mehdi, Welcome to the Forum! Please provide a picture of the complete sword. This is a requirement for a translation request. Regards, Ian.

6th January 2024, 12:53 AM	#4
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	Nice sword, thank you for sharing it with us. The markings, in this exact configuration, are actually fairly common on Moroccan swords from the 19th and early 20th century. I am not sure if they were applied locally, or if they were applied in Solingen, where such blades were produced in large quantities for export to North Africa. Like all other markings, they can probably be traced to markings on European blades from a few centuries earlier. In the 19th century the purpose of the markings was not so much as imitations, but rather as something that by that point would be familiar to locals and associated with quality - a symbol of quality of sorts. Regards, Teodor

6th January 2024, 10:44 AM	#5
Mehdi Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Posts: 7	Good morning Teodor and thanks for your help, I thought the ‘circular’ imprint might have been some form of inscription but these marks are to be taken as a whole for reasons as you say. Best wishes.

6th January 2024, 02:08 PM	#6
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 913	A very nice nimcha with respectable age! Celestial symbols are frequently found on blades made in Europe for export. The crecent moon symbol on this sword is of a form strongly suggesting European manufacture, but this symbol has since been widely copied on locally produced blades. These marks are frequently found on takouba and kaskara blades.