Flyssa - I finally got one!!

Emanuel · 22nd May 2007, 12:06 AM

Hello,

I was finally able to get a flyssa, the weapon that has obsessed me for quite some time. In 2005 I had gotten one on ebay, of the short variety, and a shipping error saw it snatched from my grasp. I got a refund at the time. (the exact same error happened twice more since)

Now the Bay comes through once again with this one. A 20 3/8" long affair in good condition but lacking the scabbard. That's a major loss, but at the price I got it I am quite happy. It was mislabelled and the auction ended in the middle of the night.

In her treaty on Kabyles sabres, Camille Lacoste-Desjardins notes that flyssa's made after 1850 were of a markedly lower quality than those made prior to 1850. She states that a number of tribes picked up production at a time when the flyssa was already obsolete as a weapon. Looking at the one I got and the way the little tacks that hold the brass on the handle, I wonder which type it may be. I suspect that the curved ones that look like hybrids with the "nimcha" daggers are of the later type and solely meant for ceremony/tourism.

As always, thoughts and comments would be much appreciated.
Regards,
Emanuel

kronckew · 22nd May 2007, 12:39 AM

hi manolo, how's the spine on yours?

mine is engraved, brass inlaid and fancy fileworked for about 2/3 the length of the blade spine.

the curved one i have (see the other flyssa thread from today) does not have any decorations on the spine & the brass is tacked on with a large number of flush tacks which are quite obvious, unlike the straight one where you need to look closely to spot them, and the guard is fairly flimsy sheet brass, the blade itself is quite thick, distally tapered, not like the wedding nimchas, and may be a transitional piece morphing from a real to a parade weapon.

Lew · 22nd May 2007, 04:31 AM

Very nice flyssa gentleman. Here is my pride and joy this flyssa has some of the nicest inlay I have seen to date. My son made me promise never to sell or trade it because he wants it as a family heirloom.

Lew

Flavio · 22nd May 2007, 03:42 PM

Hey Lew, do you want to adopt me? I am only 31 years old

Lew · 22nd May 2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flavio

Hey Lew, do you want to adopt me? I am only 31 years old

Flavio

I am 20yrs older than you so the idea is not too far fetched

but then I would have access to your collection also

Lew

Flavio · 22nd May 2007, 06:06 PM

It's OK, then we can start the iter for the adoption

22nd May 2007, 12:06 AM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Flyssa - I finally got one!! Hello, I was finally able to get a flyssa, the weapon that has obsessed me for quite some time. In 2005 I had gotten one on ebay, of the short variety, and a shipping error saw it snatched from my grasp. I got a refund at the time. (the exact same error happened twice more since) Now the Bay comes through once again with this one. A 20 3/8" long affair in good condition but lacking the scabbard. That's a major loss, but at the price I got it I am quite happy. It was mislabelled and the auction ended in the middle of the night. In her treaty on Kabyles sabres, Camille Lacoste-Desjardins notes that flyssa's made after 1850 were of a markedly lower quality than those made prior to 1850. She states that a number of tribes picked up production at a time when the flyssa was already obsolete as a weapon. Looking at the one I got and the way the little tacks that hold the brass on the handle, I wonder which type it may be. I suspect that the curved ones that look like hybrids with the "nimcha" daggers are of the later type and solely meant for ceremony/tourism. As always, thoughts and comments would be much appreciated. Regards, Emanuel Attached Images

22nd May 2007, 04:31 AM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Very nice flyssa gentleman. Here is my pride and joy this flyssa has some of the nicest inlay I have seen to date. My son made me promise never to sell or trade it because he wants it as a family heirloom. Lew Attached Images

22nd May 2007, 12:39 AM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	hi manolo, how's the spine on yours? mine is engraved, brass inlaid and fancy fileworked for about 2/3 the length of the blade spine. the curved one i have (see the other flyssa thread from today) does not have any decorations on the spine & the brass is tacked on with a large number of flush tacks which are quite obvious, unlike the straight one where you need to look closely to spot them, and the guard is fairly flimsy sheet brass, the blade itself is quite thick, distally tapered, not like the wedding nimchas, and may be a transitional piece morphing from a real to a parade weapon.

22nd May 2007, 03:42 PM	#4
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hey Lew, do you want to adopt me? I am only 31 years old

22nd May 2007, 06:06 PM	#6
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	It's OK, then we can start the iter for the adoption