Ethnographic Arms & Armour - FS: ETHIOPIAN GURADE IN FINE ETCH AND RHINO HORN GRIP CA.1895

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FS: ETHIOPIAN GURADE IN FINE ETCH AND RHINO HORN GRIP CA.1895

This Ethiopian gurade is mounted with a cavalry-sized heavy 81 cm long blade, which is finely etched on both sides and the back. Quality of the etching is a step above the majority of Ethiopian swords that I have seen. The decorations feature Ethiopian ans Islamic swords, traditional Ethiopian shields, floral sprays and panoply of arms and armor. Lion of Judah is etched on the reverse ricasso. Blade was made in either England or Germany, and hilted in Ethiopia. The hilt is formed out of single piece of rhinoceros horn, dyed in customary Ethiopian red color. Silver pommel cap resembles an Ethiopian shield. Blade has acquired a beautiful patina and shows signs of honest aging. I would date this sword ca.1890s-early 1900s.
The blade is quite similar in shape to the British 1796 Light Cavalry Sword blades, and the subsequent Prussian 1811s.

A knowledgeable collector has suggested that the blade is of French origin, but he has been a bit under the weather lately, and I haven't received any further information regarding the blade origin yet.
Regardless, I think this is a very nice and rather uncommon piece, which is priced reasonably.

PRICE $695 includes insured Priority Mail in the US.
Foreign buyer add $30 for International Priority Air Mail [5-7 business days].

http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7482.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7483.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7484.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7485.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7486.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7487.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7488.jpg
http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n...D/IMG_7489.jpg

Let me say that I absolutely LOVE this sword. The hilt in mine is in a little better shape, but the blade is identical. I find that it has a superb balance and that the blade is a bit heavier than the similar Wilkinson gurade's. The reason that I think it may be French is that the decorations are SOOOO 3rd Empire Neo-Classical. A variety of antique (Greek/Roman) and Medioeval weapons are shown arranged in panoplies: swords, helmets, armour, shields and spears, banners and drums!!!! It is all so French.... But I may be wrong.... France was, of course, a great supporter of Menelik II and supplied him with large quantities of weapons, including swords. I have two more swords with a very faint Paris address, too faint to photograph. However, the decoration in one of the two illustrates clearly the French "taste". Though not as well executed, it nevertheless bears some similarities. I am, by the way, surprised by the lack of response to this post. Surely there MUST be some members who can give an input?

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

I am, by the way, surprised by the lack of response to this post. Surely there MUST be some members who can give an input?

I think you will find that if you want discussion you should post in the discussion forum. This is advertised in the swap forum hence the lack of discussion.

Gav

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

I am, by the way, surprised by the lack of response to this post. Surely there MUST be some members who can give an input?

I think you will find that if you want discussion you should post in the discussion forum. This is advertised in the swap forum hence the lack of discussion.

Gav

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

I think you will find that if you want discussion you should post in the discussion forum. This is advertised in the swap forum hence the lack of discussion.

Gav

Gavin is, of course, correct. Members are not supposed to engage in discussion of items in the swap section. Perhap Roanoa got excited by this item and just forgot which forum he was in. ;) :)