Arab Cutlasses of the Pirate Coast

A.alnakkas · 12th February 2024, 04:51 AM

This example I sold a while ago. From what I remember the blade was phenomenal. Those short blades I came to handle all share the features I've mentioned before; very wide spines and drastic distal taper but not all look the same. Some have Arabic stamps too.

eftihis · 12th February 2024, 06:22 AM

I believe these two are for pirate use also.

TVV · 12th February 2024, 04:38 PM

Beautiful and interesting examples Lotfi, thank you for sharing.

Eftihis, the sword and yataghan you show with nimcha grips could have certainly been used in a naval context, and in fact, it is even likely that they were.

Jim McDougall · 12th February 2024, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

Beautiful and interesting examples Lotfi, thank you for sharing.

Eftihis, the sword and yataghan you show with nimcha grips could have certainly been used in a naval context, and in fact, it is even likely that they were.

I very much agree, and it seems that Arab swords in these forms were likely used in maritime contexts as the Arabs were of course so prevalent in trade which of course was by sea.

I would like to correct my earlier posts where I showed a sword which I had assumed was one of the 'kitara' swords, which was in fact a Manding saber from Mali.

The first image is the one in question; the 2nd a proper Manding saber.

Peter Hudson · 13th February 2024, 12:48 AM

Hello Jim, Your #8 Post shows the clear evidence of several design features probably made through cross regional movement in the Indian Ocean... Here I want to comment upon the broadened blade aspect of such a design movement also shown at #2 By TVV. . Clearly there has been a lot of sword design flow across the Indian Ocean

I have looked through some excellent entries on Forum in this regard and at the web in the case of the following reference https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/moplah-sword centuries gone by.

Key artwork for inclusion here is on the distinctive broad blade of the Moplah...my suggestion being to illustrate how such a blade could well influence swords could have been influenced across the Indian Ocean from the home of the Moplah.. The Malibar Coast.

gp · 15th February 2024, 08:17 AM

With regards to the Barbary Coast, there is quite a diverse and interesting history as part of it was / concerned the present Moroccan city of Salé , where I have worked for a year in 1980.
It is opposite Rabat , separated by the Bouregreg river and used to be an independent for a while and a cente of the pirates.
Many of whom were Dutch renegades, like Jan Janszoon van Haarlem (AKA Moerad Raïs 1570- 1641).
Enclosed a sword captured by Michiel de Ruyter, most likely in the battle at Salé, approx. 1640-1664, Rijksmuseum NG-NM-10412. I can highly recommand a visit to the city of Salé !

Jim McDougall · 15th February 2024, 06:41 PM

Fantastic entry gp!!!
Absolutely, the so called Sallee Rovers were the forerunners of the Barbary Pirates, though Im not sure if they melded into the Barbary category or not.
This is amazing artwork and adds so much to the context here.
These activities were prevalent along these coastal areas of North Africa and which seem often to have extended much further to other coasts.

It is interesting that European renegades often joined the ranks of these 'rovers' and that circumstance prevailed into the 'Barbary' period as well.

12th February 2024, 04:51 AM	#1
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	This example I sold a while ago. From what I remember the blade was phenomenal. Those short blades I came to handle all share the features I've mentioned before; very wide spines and drastic distal taper but not all look the same. Some have Arabic stamps too. Attached Images

13th February 2024, 12:48 AM	#5
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 315	Just a close look at Moplah blades... Hello Jim, Your #8 Post shows the clear evidence of several design features probably made through cross regional movement in the Indian Ocean... Here I want to comment upon the broadened blade aspect of such a design movement also shown at #2 By TVV. . Clearly there has been a lot of sword design flow across the Indian Ocean I have looked through some excellent entries on Forum in this regard and at the web in the case of the following reference https://www.mandarinmansion.com/glossary/moplah-sword centuries gone by. Key artwork for inclusion here is on the distinctive broad blade of the Moplah...my suggestion being to illustrate how such a blade could well influence swords could have been influenced across the Indian Ocean from the home of the Moplah.. The Malibar Coast. Attached Images Last edited by Peter Hudson; 13th February 2024 at 01:05 AM.

15th February 2024, 08:17 AM	#6
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 823	With regards to the Barbary Coast, there is quite a diverse and interesting history as part of it was / concerned the present Moroccan city of Salé , where I have worked for a year in 1980. It is opposite Rabat , separated by the Bouregreg river and used to be an independent for a while and a cente of the pirates. Many of whom were Dutch renegades, like Jan Janszoon van Haarlem (AKA Moerad Raïs 1570- 1641). Enclosed a sword captured by Michiel de Ruyter, most likely in the battle at Salé, approx. 1640-1664, Rijksmuseum NG-NM-10412. I can highly recommand a visit to the city of Salé ! Attached Images

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12th February 2024, 06:22 AM	#2
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 511	I believe these two are for pirate use also. Attached Images

12th February 2024, 04:38 PM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Beautiful and interesting examples Lotfi, thank you for sharing. Eftihis, the sword and yataghan you show with nimcha grips could have certainly been used in a naval context, and in fact, it is even likely that they were.

15th February 2024, 06:41 PM	#7
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	Fantastic entry gp!!! Absolutely, the so called Sallee Rovers were the forerunners of the Barbary Pirates, though Im not sure if they melded into the Barbary category or not. This is amazing artwork and adds so much to the context here. These activities were prevalent along these coastal areas of North Africa and which seem often to have extended much further to other coasts. It is interesting that European renegades often joined the ranks of these 'rovers' and that circumstance prevailed into the 'Barbary' period as well.