Are these historical swords or tourist traps?

[ausjulius]

Originally Posted by ebuhamza135

I would like to ask wether these swords that I found on some auction websites are they actual historical swords used in history, or tourist traps?

These type of "fantasy" oriental style weapons are frequently french made or comming from french colonies in North Africa. They are old and typically have a functional edge.
They were made as curiosities.
Some were made for officers , especially naval officers to wear in place of their dirks in the British and French navies. You can see some very curved dirks with shamshir style handles, velvet sheaths and eastern styles guards and decoration about too
You can also see french made "belly dancing swords" from those days that may be quite robust looking.
Generally these are period fantasy weapons.

People made fantasy weapons then as we do now.
Just like the English loved to make fantasy mediaeval swords in the 19th century.
The french liked to make fantasy Roman, greek, chinese and middle eastern weapons.
I'd guess mostly these were hung on walls or given as interesting gifts