Saif, Moroccan saif, sife, nimcha, nimsha

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by Maurice

Hello Jim,

Many thanks for the extensive explanation.
It is absolutely fascinating, to learn more about the history of these impressive swords.

It looks like there was a change in blades in the past. The blade shape of Yuri and mine, seem to be from the early 1800's and latter?
According a friendcollector, the earlier blades have a more 'classic' pirate shape of blade, with a widening tip (like the ones from Michiel de Ruyter en Tromp in the Amsterdam Rijksmuseum collection, 17th century).

Kind regards,
Maurice

Hi Maurice,
Keep in mind that the blades used on these were invariably from many sources, most typically those entering the North African sphere as trade commodities. As with most ethnographic swords, there were local preferences regionally as far as hilts, in fact there were likely certain shops or artisans producing hilts for the mounting of blades by armorers in varied areas.
Once mounted with the blades on hand, they were traded intertribally for ongoing use.

Since the blades used were typically intended toward specific use patterns, the variation of blades used adjusted accordingly. In earlier times, as you note the 'pirate/cutlass' type blades were likely as they may have seen use on larger vessels which might experience deck combat. These heavy blades on vessels served also as utility items, just as cutlasses served as machetes ashore in tropical areas.

From what little I know of metallurgy, blades could be heated and 'cold stamped' with markings etc. long after being originally forged.
The 'trade' blades coming in over virtually centuries of course had different characteristics reflecting not only the national trade centers where they originated, but changes in blade profile, cross section and fullering which changed over time.

Many blades circulated in many areas and were often carried elsewhere via the complex trade networks and intertribal trading across North Africa through generations and centuries.
I recall seeing a European blade from 15th century in a Tuareg takouba which turned up a number of years ago.

[Pertinax]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

From what little I know of metallurgy, blades could be heated and 'cold stamped' with markings etc. long after being originally forged.

Jim, I also think that the marks were stamped on the blade blanks.

It is difficult for me to determine from the photo whether the Maurice blade is stamped or hand-forged. The blade on my nimcha is clearly stamped. If this is so, then it is reasonable to assume that due to the abundance of imitations of marks of famous European manufacturers, the blade is of local, Maghreb production.

If we date the blade to the end of the 19th - beginning of the 20th century, then we can say that in the Maghreb countries at that time there were productions similar to Solingen and Klingenthal.

P.s.

I have an example - an officer's sabre of the Royal Guard of Spain M1825. The blade is imported Weyersberg, Solingen, and the inscriptions R.F.D TOLEDO and ANO D 18833 are made by engraving.