A Fine Nimcha Saif with French Blade
A Fine Nimcha Saif with French Blade
Kingdom of Morocco
Blade: Mid- 18th century
Hilt: 19th century
Steel, bovine horn, brass, iron
Blade: 89,5cm
Hilt & Blade: 106,7cm
Hilt, Blade, Sheath: -cm
Collection Date: 2023
Collection Number: 371
Ex. Private French Collection (2023)
A fine saif from the Kingdom of Morocco. The blade is European manufacture, very likely of French origin around 1750. Single- edged slightly curved steel blade with a central fuller for 3/4 of the blade's length and a second smaller fuller near the spine. False edge for the last 1/4 length near the point. On one side engraved is the phrase, "Vive Le Roy" (Long Live the King) with decorative scrollwork. On the reverse, there is more engravings of decorative scrollwork, along with a faced sun, fleur-de lis, a crown, and coat of arms. The spine has some engravings as well.
Iron crossguard decorated in silver Arabesque overlay of flowers and scrolls with linear incised quillion bulbs. Bovin horn carved knock hilt with a brass ferrule collar. Some cracks to the horn. An attractive North African sword with an old, highly decorated French blade attached. A fine example.
Claude, Eric. 2020. “The Small Catalog of Moroccan and Algerian Edged Weapons”. Pages 110, 122-123
Pinchot, Oliver S. 2014. “Arms of the Paladins”. Page 80; Cat. 4 - 53
Spring, Christopher. 1993. “African Arms and Armor”. Pages 24 (Info.)
Nickel, Helmut. 1971. “Arms and Armor in Africa”. Page 53