Zanzibar? Nimcha.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Norman McCormick

Hi,
New addition. What I believe to be a Zanzibar Nimcha. Overall length 35 inches, blade length 29 inches, blade width 1 5/16 inches and 1/4 inch at its thickest, it is very sharp with the 4 1/2 inch false edge also extremely sharp. Although this does not have the 'guard ring', the hilt shape, the quillion type, the blade profile and the peaked silver collar on the grip lead me to think this is a Zanzibar type. See thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=nimcha and the post by LPCA/Louis-Pierre. I look forward as usual to your thoughts and comments.
Regards,
Norman.

Salaams Norman McCormick, Nice to see your Zanzibari Nimcha. Buttin as portrayed in your reference clearly earmarks this style in his sketches. The mixups occur in the other similar styles from North Africa especially the Moroccan and Algerian ... the later having closonne decoration and which can be found at library at my second reference below.

see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...nzibari+nimcha and a real treat of Moroccan style on thread http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=4782 see # 13 of this reference for clossonne decoration.

What is also interesting is where the hilts blades and scabbards were made. We usually see scabbards decorated in a sort of repeated swirl on the leather. The link to the fabulously decorated elephant tusk hilt with gold decoration is clear. The blades appear European in style but some local manufacture Hadramaut ? seems likely and I do not rule out Indian blades Hyderabadi... due to trade links etc. Some of the hilts will be rosewood and others Rhino.
What is questionable is who wore these swords?.. To me it seems likely that the lavishly decorated version hung on the VIP waist... so they must have been Omanis .. Merchants, Royal Family, and important Officials...Ministers and slave traders, Captains and Admirals.. etc. They were technically Zanzibari but when it was owned by Oman... worn by Omani VIPs.
Your sword would surely have been the more practical version worn by officers, sea traders and seafarers more than likely Omani officers. I would even go so far as to put this style in the military category.
The only real evidence is Buttin and other publications such as the late Anthony North.. Islamic Arms.... (and our own library !!)as more exact details are difficult to ascertain even in Muscat museums.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.