Hi Jim, happy that my theories find some logic to your ears ! You right when you say that the subject is wide, actually, Ive begun this book 3years ago.. finished the text part one year ago, after many searches, sword analysis etc... for one year I'm on the picture part, very hard to obtain some of very particular models of knives swords etc... and also trying not to "copy" the work of other expert, to add some new views... but its pretty hard as I still make discoveries, or new theories, that some contradict some others, etc... so sorry by advance if sometimes my talk look a bit hard to confirm.
Well, about flissas... NO, those are clearly not decoratives objects.. even the one you have. I my thought, those models, like yours, that I have one too, where probably "mass made" by some other kabyle families that the smiths ones (actually, not only iflissen, but many areas) in the late era of free algeria (before, or maybe at firsts times of colonisation. The "quality" off steel, as a blacksmith, also lead to to that point, because of a more "shiny" steel than olders model, not only because of rust, but composition (may be less carbon, as noticed Lacoste, or more modern steels with more chrome or I dont know what, but not for making swords obviously). But I dont think that the initial aim was to make them decorative, but I think that is just not their work. I actually guess, basing on some Lacoste book parts too, that those ones are made by the kabyle jewelers as the Ait YENI for exemples. Most of them where also in some weapons skills, as Moukhala, riffles etc... but here again, making a lock for a riffle, is really another work, than making a long, very long sword. Sorry for all that talk, but I actully want to mean that those models, are for me more "late unused weapons" and probably badly made, at an era where colonisers, came with way more usefull swords (as french cavalry ones). And if you wondering why the flissa became like that, is probably for the same reasons... The really usefull flissa, as you said, are few... I dont think a lot of kabyle tribe was really knowing the skills (condording to lacoste and other sources) and many tried to copy them. The original makers, allso probably let the flissa making, for some more "modern" models, as the yatagan, the nimcha, and many curved sabers from islamic inspirations, and even foreign swords (really more attractive for a smith... than passing many days to shape one in some modest local steels).
Whtat dont says Lacoste, and really surprised me, is that many very olders models than yours, from 18century (dated by many way, the look first of all, way more used to be from french era, but also the skills apply on them, or even the way they came to us /first french military took etc...) are very good quality steel swords, and, BE READY
, some have a differential hardess, confirmed by many acid bath, grinding, hardness test, etc.... I MEAN, the cutting edge, is harder than the body, as for may swords at this era (especially ottoman... that where in algeria too.. even if, those ottoman, where not firtly craftsmans but janissaries, that connection gived a lot to the algerian skills of that era, as everybody knows, with some algerian yatagan etc...).
SO, (and sorry if I talk too much... but hehe, that my dream subject lol), those models are clearly battle swords, those are usally shorter, lighter, most of them have less inlay, replaced by more engravings, giving usually more curved and floral shapes). I cant be absolutely categorical, but one of mine is probably sanmai made, and harder steel core, and softer steel sides, as is many yatagans, even made in algeria, so by the exact same "tribes". As Ive said, those flissa are way more smaller, I call them "boarding" flissa, as I supposed them made for (actually, iflissen where also known as pirates). If you look to the "mansfield collection" you will find very stunning models of those.
So know, what about the long ones ??? Just another tool, another weapon, and probably way more rare at this era. I suppose that because of its lenght, it was not the favorite one, but also known and reputed (I have here a very usefull model, still heavy, approcahing 1000g/ more than 1m, but well balanced, very thin tip as an italian saber, or a pala, not this thick spine of the other model, and also look way more older).
About the "cartouche".
its not something unusual, and neither only on those late swords. I have here another kind of flissa (I actually made 4 cathegories of straight flissa sword, "long straight" classic ones, "boarding ones", "cavalry ones", "yatagan shape".. the names only refer to a shape, not nececerly to their use).
I call those ones "cavalry" flissa because of the recurrence of many models like that. Those are usually like a very long flissa knife, less curves, and way more light sword. You can notice the willing of making a "real other weapon" in kabyle arts, by the decorations, skills etc. On those ones, you have NO decorations in the sword, but the cartouche. Mine is a very good sabe (860mm / 693g) that is really used for battle, many strokes on the cutting edge, deformed saber, etc...
And it has the exact same kind of cartouche.
You right, it could be a drum, as it is the only "war intrument" used by muslim people, or even the locals culture. But I've also find a lot of meanings in stars, sky etc... As it was a big part of the local beliefs (cardinal points, east west north south, some like tourag "star/cross", etc).
Sorry I'm writting this without really time, so still a lot of things to say, I'll post more later, escpecially about relations with nimcha.
I notice that my talk goes in many ways so sorry if its a bit confused, I'll make better later.
HEre is 3 pictures, 2 of the "cavalry" model that shows the same cartouche than yours, a detail showing 3 of these kind on various swords, and finally my long "usefull" flissa.