Saif, Moroccan saif, sife, nimcha, nimsha

[Maurice]

Hi,

A fine looking Nimcha (in my eyes, though it is not my field of collecting, so my knowledge of these is far less than some others here, like Jim).

Though I am intreged by the history of the Barbary coast 'pirates', I recently bought a rather similar Nimcha as yours. It has a different marking in the blade though.
When first handling it, I was surprised of it's length and weight. It has a great balance too!
Mine had an incredible patina of use, and I cleaned the dark blade superficially.
It aso has a native restore at the (bovine?) hilt.

I hope you don't mind me interfearing your thread, as that is not my intention. But because mine looks like a similar type as you have, I thought it would be ok to discuss both nimchas in one thread.

Regards,
Maurice

[Jim McDougall]

Maurice, perfect entry!!! and of course not at all 'interfering' !! The idea here is discussion not just of one example, but of the form in general to see and learn from the scope of examples shared.

As can be seen, while the 'nimcha' style hilt with its distinct quillon and guard system was widely used throughout the Arab world, and while some examples remain in remarkable condition, many had long working lives throughout the regions of North Africa.
In my view, examples like Yuri's and yours are most exciting, as they were indeed worn, and perhaps used over long periods, and often within various groups as they changed hands.

With colonial actions and intertribal warfare along with trade and many types of interaction through the 19th century, well into the 20th, these swords were not simply traditional fashion, they were worn to be used as required.
Evidence of this is seen with the bolster strap holding the hilt together on Maurice's example.
These hilts were indeed made of horn of some sort, but I'm sure it varied, and while rhino was of course much desired, it was not as readily available and expensive. Horn itself was durable and surely had certain values in the sense of the traditions and nuances of the culture itself.

Going to certain elements on these nimchas, as a form, I notice on the example shown by Maurice, at the forte there is a stamp which comprises what looks like a dentated arc (as seen on Genoan sickle marks) and a star.
This seems to be seen on certain Moroccan examples (as seen on my example attached) and is tempting to suggest it is some sort of 'state' mark of Morocco, but cannot say for sure.

In Morocco, according to Tirri (2003, p.19) it is noted there were numerous weapon making centers in Fez, Meknes, Marrakesh and Rabat where there were apparently favored designs for daggers. Also centers at Tetuan, Taroudent, Ras al Oeued and through Little Atlas there were centers for guns and assembly. Any of these might have been sources for established supply of arms which may have included these swords.

It is noted as well that there was extensive use of imported weapon components (which has been well established), and via the many trade routes, might have come in through any number of the entrepots receiving foreign blades.

This is the reason it is so hard to establish the regional classification of extant nimcha examples. The 'Barbary Coast' (the exonym previously used and derived from 'Berber') extended entirely across the North African littoral from Morocco to Libya. The 'Barbary Pirates' refer to these outlaw raiders who were active throughout roughly 15th c. well through 19th, but as with historic periods, there are no specific limits to exact times, any more than defining the age of piracy itself.

Often it seems surprising that full length swords would be used as a 'pirate' weapon, with shorter stout blades being expected for close quarters on deck fighting. Here I would note that typically, these 'pirates' would transport in their galleys, but raid ashore, thus the full length swords.

[Pertinax]

Hi Maurice!

A wonderful nimcha who has "seen a lot", it's a pity that she can't tell about it herself.

Please indicate the sizes.

Respectfully,
Yuri