A new Nimcha for comment

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Clearly the term does not properly apply to most of these which characteristically have full length sword blades, almost invariably from European trade blades.

Jim, I have a picture archive of 50+ of these swords, which I will continue to call Zanzibar nimchas to differentiate them from other Omani and East African swords that have different hilts. I am yet to see one with a blade that has European markings or even imitations thereof. In fact, the only markings I have seen are a Crescent with three stars and the so-called hourglass mark, both of which to my understanding are local or Indian. And this is true regardless of the blade type - curved or straight, single or double edged, fullers or no fullers - never a European mark.

Given the sample size, this cannot be ascribed entirely on coincidence, and is in stark contrast to kattaras and the straight cylindrical hilt swords from Oman and Omani East African possessions, which typically have multiple European (or imitation) marks and symbols.

Either the nimchas did not use European blades, but rather locally made ones or Indian imports, or they were left unmarked on purpose and/or the European marks erased.

Gunnar's reference is from Helgot, but from the sold items section so I believe it is in compliance with forum rules.