Morrocan sboula

TVV · 12th March 2020, 08:17 PM

Nice sboula Yvain, and some pretty good observations. If you search the forum you will find blades with similar letters that do not make sense or symbols that resemble European letters. My guess is that those were placed locally, in order to imitate markings on earlier European blades. The gurda marks may be original to the blade or may have been placed later locally as well, hard for me to tell.

As for dating, based on the one photograph we have of a Moroccan wearing one and based on the fact that they were around when Buttin was in Morocco in the early 20th century, they were certainly in use in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A 19th century date for when yours was made is therefore a good guess.

Regards,
Teodor

12th March 2020, 08:17 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Nice sboula Yvain, and some pretty good observations. If you search the forum you will find blades with similar letters that do not make sense or symbols that resemble European letters. My guess is that those were placed locally, in order to imitate markings on earlier European blades. The gurda marks may be original to the blade or may have been placed later locally as well, hard for me to tell. As for dating, based on the one photograph we have of a Moroccan wearing one and based on the fact that they were around when Buttin was in Morocco in the early 20th century, they were certainly in use in the late 1800s and early 1900s. A 19th century date for when yours was made is therefore a good guess. Regards, Teodor