Arabian sword worth? Help!

[naghnash]

I have an antique Arabian sword, but I can't seem to figure out the worth. It was bought in Morocco and given to me from a friend. The writing is a little difficult to figure out, but it says "122 ad Omar sahib mustafa" and in English it means "500 ad Omar is friends with Mustafa". I would like to know the worth of this sword if you can figure it out.

 

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[Hot zone]

If Mustafa gave me a sword I would be his friend too! Nice, worth at least $150. That is not an offer!

 

[naghnash]

My friend didn't engrave it to me, it just so happens that the engraving was there when he bought it haha

 

[Customx_12]

Swords are always a bit tricky to figure out. Especially ones purchased by a tourist in Morocco. It's one of those things where I don't think you can get a clear answer from someone online because it's much better to be able to hold the thing and feel how well it's made. I've seen a number of swords that look antique/genuine but after feeling the quality, it is clear that it was never really intended for battle. Personally, I have a couple concerns just from the photos (keep in mind that I have a sword collection but I am not an appraiser or anything so take my opinion with a grain of salt). First, it has no cross-guard to protect the hand. Now, the cross-guard could have broken off as it seems the grip is broken but that brings up the second concern. The tang (the part of the blade that goes into the grip) doesn't seem to run very deep into the grip. So the questions are: Is it authentic and, if so, was it made for battle or was it meant as decoration? Those should really be addressed by an expert in person. Off hand, I would guess (and again, I may be wrong) that it probably isn't as old as it appears and it may just be a repro to sell to tourists. Even if it were an antique, it's in pretty bad shape. I think the earlier estimate of $150 would be accurate given its condition and if it's authentic. If it turns out to be made to look old for tourists, maybe $50.

Again, I could be wrong so I would try to find someone to take it to in person to find out.

 

[naghnash]

Swords are always a bit tricky to figure out. Especially ones purchased by a tourist in Morocco. It's one of those things where I don't think you can get a clear answer from someone online because it's much better to be able to hold the thing and feel how well it's made. I've seen a number of swords that look antique/genuine but after feeling the quality, it is clear that it was never really intended for battle. Personally, I have a couple concerns just from the photos (keep in mind that I have a sword collection but I am not an appraiser or anything so take my opinion with a grain of salt). First, it has no cross-guard to protect the hand. Now, the cross-guard could have broken off as it seems the grip is broken but that brings up the second concern. The tang (the part of the blade that goes into the grip) doesn't seem to run very deep into the grip. So the questions are: Is it authentic and, if so, was it made for battle or was it meant as decoration? Those should really be addressed by an expert in person. Off hand, I would guess (and again, I may be wrong) that it probably isn't as old as it appears and it may just be a repro to sell to tourists. Even if it were an antique, it's in pretty bad shape. I think the earlier estimate of $150 would be accurate given its condition and if it's authentic. If it turns out to be made to look old for tourists, maybe $50.

Again, I could be wrong so I would try to find someone to take it to in person to find out.

This really helped me on getting a sort of clear idea because it's been driving me crazy. I'll be sure to get it checked out by an expert. Thanks😊

 

[allen_idaho]

What you have there appears to be an Flyssa sword. Or more likely a reproduction based on one. They were used in Algeria and Morocco up into the 19th century.

However, I've seen several authentic Flyssa swords of varying lengths and thicknesses and none of them had a handle like the one you've got. That handle is far too thick to be anything more than decoration. The blade lengths would vary from 12" to 38" and would either be plain steel or steel with inlaid brass along the top of the blade.

The scabbard was usually made of wood and the handle is usually carved into the shape of some type of animal. Yours also does not have this.