A Berber saber?

[Jim McDougall]

Absolutely no need to apologize for follow up on an intriguing and ongoing investigation Teodor! and nicely done comparison. In the earliest years these 'Berber' sabres started turning up, I was satisfied with that identification. In later years, questions arose, some of these turned up in 19th century to early 20th c. Mexican sword groupings.
In review of the catalog of the collection of the late Charles Buttin (Rumilly,1933) which is intensely comprehensive, especially in weapons from Morocco, where he lived for many years, reveal no examples of this sword type. In other works by him, these are noticeably absent. In related discussions with other figures involved in study on the arms of Morocco and the Maghreb overall, the opinion that these curious sabres were not Moroccan seemed to prevail.
Other resources which include the weapons of the Maghreb and North Africa overall also have no examples of these sabres present, although later, the book by Anthony Tirri does show them as Moroccan ("Islamic Weapons: Maghreb to Moghul", 2003). In this book, these are shown as 19th century from southwestern Morocco in the Spanish Sahara (p.26) but no supporting data or reference is included.

I'm inclined to agree Teodor that these may well have Central American, or perhaps even Cuban or Philippines origins, and as with certain other instances, may have become souveniers from Spanish American War period.

All best regards,
Jim

P.S. one thing that always got my interest is the distinctly profiled blade tip on many of these (often British M1796 cavalry sabre blades) in my view reminds me of the blade tips on many kampilan. Admittedly free association, but curious just the same.

[FenrisWolf]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Absolutely no need to apologize for follow up on an intriguing and ongoing investigation Teodor! and nicely done comparison.
Other resources which include the weapons of the Maghreb and North Africa overall also have no examples of these sabres present, although later, the book by Anthony Tirri does show them as Moroccan ("Islamic Weapons: Maghreb to Moghul", 2003). In this book, these are shown as 19th century from southwestern Morocco in the Spanish Sahara (p.26) but no supporting data or reference is included.

I'm inclined to agree Teodor that these may well have Central American, or perhaps even Cuban or Philippines origins, and as with certain other instances, may have become souveniers from Spanish American War period.

P.S. one thing that always got my interest is the distinctly profiled blade tip on many of these (often British M1796 cavalry sabre blades) in my view reminds me of the blade tips on many kampilan. Admittedly free association, but curious just the same.

What I have looked at with these is not the blade or even the inlay on the hilt, but the manner in which the blade and hilt are joined.Tang fitted into notch cut 2/3 way thru hilt. secured with steel rivets followed with a wire binding. Apply those same parameters to knives coming out of the Sahara nd you get a match, one seen repeatedly on the Saharan version of a pocket knife. They are not Moroccan but I do believe they are of Saharan origin.

[TVV]

I am just uploading the auction pictures for future reference.