French Foreign Legion: Arms Contexts

[gp]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Thank you so much GP for this brilliantly explained and detailed perspective and information on the complexities of the Maghreb! as well as the links and maps. This truly brings to light how these many weapon forms came into these regions and became so widely diffused.

In trying to determine the nationality of many of the indigenous weapons it seems nearly impossible to determine the nationality of them, let alone the regional or tribal affiliations. With the military weapons such as rifles as previously noted, the embellishments or added markings etc. are perhaps the only means of presumably reliable identification.

Your insights on this very esoteric area of study are so much appreciated here, especially with your field experience there in Morocco. That had to have been a remarkable time!!! This really helps. Thank you again,

All the best
Jim

you're welcome and most happy to oblige!

It was indeed a wonderfull and interesting time, as a "teenybopper" following the song "Marrakesh Express" (by Graham Nash) and visting the places where Jimmi and the Stones stayed 10 to 15 years before I went.

Its culture and history is most interesting, next to its peoples.

Guess for us Europeans it was similar to the experience you folks in the good U S of A had when visiting Mexico in the same period.

It was grand till the mid 80ies. Best were the so-called "Fantasia" ; traditional annual gathering of tribesmen outside certain cities, building tent camp for themselves and visitors and displaying their agility on horses and control of their weapons; both swords and rifles

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=el+jadidah...-205877528.jpg

and not a male restricted party, also female warriors present:

https://duckduckgo.com/?q=female+war...co-Magzter.jpg

due to its history, the country is most interesting with regards to the weapons used and present and to see. although by now in the past decades many if not most have been bought by collectors. Though some remain in the possesion of some tribes

enclosed some pictures from my collection:

https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=312
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=316
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=317
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=318
https://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showp...&postcount=319

they were and still are fierce warriors, which is as well for also for the Algerians, but in the same time most kind and hospitable if treated with respect.
Concerning your quest for weapons, I think both foreign legions and the museum in Fez will be happy to assist you and be a good source of info!
So good luck hunting! ☼☼☼