Zanzibar?

[Marcus]

I just purchased this item from Oriental Arms:

http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=6136

Described as:

A very unusual and interesting Arab sword, also known as Saif. It reminds the famous Moroccan Nimcha, but although the hilt style is similar, this sword is coming from the South Arabian peninsula, and it is believed to be produced in the island of Zanzibar in the 19th C. The single edge curved blade is 30 inches long marked with a maker sign, probably of European origin. The grip is cut and beautifully shaped from a solid piece of black horn . The hilt is of unusual design and has a big steel ring forged in one piece with the cross guard and the “D” guard. Total length 36 inches. Very good condition. Very good untouched and homogenous patina on the blade. No scabbard. The attribution to Zanzibar comes from the characterized design of the hilt but we could not find any substantiation to it.

Over the years, Artzi has sold 15 other items of similar description (see list below), all with the same qualified association to Zanzibar. Does anyone know of a source which will confirm or reject this association?



http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2695
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3516
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3977
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5882
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=4470
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=5048
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3864
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1485
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=4101
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=3894
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=93
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=2248
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1136
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1243
http://www.oriental-arms.com/item.php?id=1376

Marcus

[kahnjar1]

Hi Marcus,
I also have one of these, though not from Artzi. In my experience this style has always been referred to as a "Zanzibari Nimcha" though I have seen no conclusive evidence that they were actually made there. Like many Middle Eastern swords, the ACTUAL place of origin is often in doubt.
I should also add that the quality of these always appears to be quite good, though on looking thru the links you provide, I notice that some of the hilts are what I would describe as of "Tribal manufacture".
I have attached a couple of pics of mine, one of good quality like yours and the others showing what I call "Tribal" hilts.
Regards Stuart

[Marcus]

as I gather from Artzi's sample, many of these have European blades, often repurposed.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Marcus

as I gather from Artzi's sample, many of these have European blades, often repurposed.

Quite likely, though it must also be remembered that companies such as Wilkinson, and various Solingen companies exported blades only in large numbers to various Middle Eastern countries, notably Ethiopia.
Stu

[Oriental-Arms]

The story goes like this (As best as I could substantiate it, partially only):

In the mid 80’s, a lot of swords was found in an abandoned (?) Yemeni armory. They were purchased by a local dealer, transported over the Arabian desert, crossed the red sea and the Sinai peninsula and sea freighted to Cyprus. An Israeli antique dealer brought about 30 of the lot to Israel and sold it to one of the local collectors.

The variety was amassing. Mostly 19C. German made blades but few long straight ones has the Passau and Solingen running wolf stamping (I believe original and authentic stamps). The variety in quality and workmanship of the handles and guards was also great, but ALL had this peculiar guard with the “ring”, somewhat crudely made as rightly mentioned by Stuart. Unfortunately we could not get the ones with the running wolf stamp.

[Marcus]

Hi Artzi,
Is the sword I have purchased from the cache you describe?

Also, I am posting your picture of the maker's mark in the hopes that someone on this forum might recognize it.