A new Nimcha for comment

TVV · 15th February 2025, 05:02 PM

Jim, there are two volumes by Vincenzo Clarizia titled "Ancient Weapons of Oman". Volume 1 is Edged Weapons and Volume 2 is Firearms.

It is possible and even plausible that many of the Zanzibar nimcha hilt swords used unmarked Solingen blades. But it is interesting that while kattaras and cylndrical hilt saif blades were extensively marked, the nimchas were left without marks, and this is true of any style of blade, extending to broadsword and backsword types.

In the threads linked in this topic I have shown one of my Zanzibar nimchas, which has a very crude blade with a rough, uneven fuller. I suspect that it was a locally made one.

Based on Elgood and Hales we know that many of the Southern Yemen saifs were made in Hyderabad. We should not underestimate Indian blade production and the ability of Indian smiths to copy European patterns.

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15th February 2025, 05:02 PM	#14
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,660	Jim, there are two volumes by Vincenzo Clarizia titled "Ancient Weapons of Oman". Volume 1 is Edged Weapons and Volume 2 is Firearms. It is possible and even plausible that many of the Zanzibar nimcha hilt swords used unmarked Solingen blades. But it is interesting that while kattaras and cylndrical hilt saif blades were extensively marked, the nimchas were left without marks, and this is true of any style of blade, extending to broadsword and backsword types. In the threads linked in this topic I have shown one of my Zanzibar nimchas, which has a very crude blade with a rough, uneven fuller. I suspect that it was a locally made one. Based on Elgood and Hales we know that many of the Southern Yemen saifs were made in Hyderabad. We should not underestimate Indian blade production and the ability of Indian smiths to copy European patterns.