Unusual nimcha blade: need help

ariel · 7th April 2018, 08:34 PM

Here is a run-of-the-mill Moroccan Nimcha.
One unusual thing about it is its blade.
As a rule, Nimchas carry curved saber blade, and the majority I have encountered thus far are European trade examples.
This one has straight blade with large false edge. Also, locally-made blades have 3 narrow fullers. This one has 7.
The fullering and the false edge ( and, to a much less degree, straight construction) are very different from the usual local pattern. No markings to claim European origin.

Is this a more sophisticated local production?
Or, trade European blade with no markings?

Jens Nordlunde · 7th April 2018, 10:26 PM

Ariel,
The number of fullers seem to be very big, but what about the ricasso?
As you know I do know very little about these swords.
Jens

fernando · 7th April 2018, 11:18 PM

How about a close up of the blade far to the right, where the fullers converge.

Kubur · 8th April 2018, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

As a rule, Nimchas carry curved saber blade, and the majority I have encountered thus far are European trade examples.

Hi Ariel
I've seen many straight blades on nimchas, it's not uncommon,
most of the time old imported blades
But I can't say nothing about this blade.
Kubur

ariel · 8th April 2018, 02:41 AM

Here is the distal part of the blade with converging fullers.
I checked all my Arabian swords, including 2 Nimchas from Morocco: none of them have a ricasso, including trade European blades.

TVV · 8th April 2018, 03:27 AM

Ariel, glad you acquired this sword and thank you for sharing it here for discussion. From what I remember from the auction pictures you have also done an excellent job cleaning it. I wonder if the blade could be Indian due to the ricasso and the uneven fullering.

Teodor

fernando · 8th April 2018, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TVV

... I wonder if the blade could be Indian due to the ricasso and the uneven fullering...

That's what i was daring to guess ... on an uneducated basis, though.

Kubur · 8th April 2018, 03:05 PM

Me too, Indian is reasonnable.
Now the question is do you think that the blade was added by a collector recently or in Morocco in the 18th 19th c.?
I'm very suspicious about an Indian blade on a Moroccan nimcha...

ariel · 8th April 2018, 03:13 PM

Guys,
Ricasso serves as a differentiating sign only between Indian and Persian Shamshir blades. Many European blades had ricasso and I wonder whether Indians not borrowed the idea of a ricasso from Europe.
I will have to look at my Indian straight- bladed ones.
Thanks to Jens for his gentle hint.
Fernando, did the converging fullers help you?
TVV, the cleaning job has just begun:-) Its wooden handle is dirty, dry and cracked, and has a lot of nasty thin splinters and worm holes. I will have to polish it, otherwise I would not be able to hold it without thick gloves. Then the natural wood color will disappear. Would staining it ( say, dark mahogany) be appropriate? Also, would filling the holes with stainable filler be OK?

7th April 2018, 08:34 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Unusual nimcha blade: need help Here is a run-of-the-mill Moroccan Nimcha. One unusual thing about it is its blade. As a rule, Nimchas carry curved saber blade, and the majority I have encountered thus far are European trade examples. This one has straight blade with large false edge. Also, locally-made blades have 3 narrow fullers. This one has 7. The fullering and the false edge ( and, to a much less degree, straight construction) are very different from the usual local pattern. No markings to claim European origin. Is this a more sophisticated local production? Or, trade European blade with no markings? Attached Images

8th April 2018, 02:41 AM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Here is the distal part of the blade with converging fullers. I checked all my Arabian swords, including 2 Nimchas from Morocco: none of them have a ricasso, including trade European blades. Attached Images

7th April 2018, 10:26 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ariel, The number of fullers seem to be very big, but what about the ricasso? As you know I do know very little about these swords. Jens

7th April 2018, 11:18 PM	#3
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	How about a close up of the blade far to the right, where the fullers converge.

8th April 2018, 03:27 AM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	Ariel, glad you acquired this sword and thank you for sharing it here for discussion. From what I remember from the auction pictures you have also done an excellent job cleaning it. I wonder if the blade could be Indian due to the ricasso and the uneven fullering. Teodor

8th April 2018, 03:05 PM	#8
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Me too, Indian is reasonnable. Now the question is do you think that the blade was added by a collector recently or in Morocco in the 18th 19th c.? I'm very suspicious about an Indian blade on a Moroccan nimcha...

8th April 2018, 03:13 PM	#9
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Guys, Ricasso serves as a differentiating sign only between Indian and Persian Shamshir blades. Many European blades had ricasso and I wonder whether Indians not borrowed the idea of a ricasso from Europe. I will have to look at my Indian straight- bladed ones. Thanks to Jens for his gentle hint. Fernando, did the converging fullers help you? TVV, the cleaning job has just begun:-) Its wooden handle is dirty, dry and cracked, and has a lot of nasty thin splinters and worm holes. I will have to polish it, otherwise I would not be able to hold it without thick gloves. Then the natural wood color will disappear. Would staining it ( say, dark mahogany) be appropriate? Also, would filling the holes with stainable filler be OK?