Nimcha, literally

[TVV]

Originally Posted by ariel

Why necessarily naval? Couldn't the owner just be a "shorty"? Or having personal preference? Or the sword being more "parade" variety? Or... Who knows what other reason people might have had to wear a shorter sword?Certainly, other fighting swords all over the world had variable lengths.

This is a great question, Ariel. Personal preference is always a possibility. Even more likely, as Jim pointed out, is a case in which the blade was broken and the tip redone.
I am not sure if the owner was a shorty, but the hilt fits very comfortably in my hand and I am 6'5". It is of about the same size of another Moroccan saif that I have, which is mounted with a long, curved blade, most likely from a 19th century French cavalry sword. Thus I do not feel it was made for a shorter person.
A parade or court weapon is an interesting suggestion. The plain iron mounts are anything but fancy though and this sword to me appears to be a user, not an adornment.
Why naval? I am not sure it was naval myself, I am just hoping so. Wishful thinking on my part .

Jim,
Thank you very much for your detailed response. I thought about posting in one of the pirates threads, but did not want to hijack it. Also, while it is nice to think that this might have been the weapon of a Barbary pirat, there is no way we can ever know it for sure. I would not mind it if this thread is expanded to a discussion of the weapons of the Barbary pirates, from Haireddin Barbarossa to the 19th century.
I will put a picture of the markings in the Old Markings discussion thread for future reference.
Best regards and many thanks to all who took the time to reply here,
Teodor