Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

drac2k · 8th August 2017, 01:51 AM

I picked up this interesting shotel a few weeks ago at a gun show.At first I thought that it could be Ethiopian, however after seeing the inscription on the blade "VIVA IL RE," long live the king in Italian, and an Italian coin of King Victor Emmanuel III who reigned from 1900-1946 I reasoned it must belong to Italian Eritrean Colonial trooper.The Ethiopians drove the Italians out of their country after Adowa in 1896 where 15,000 Italians thought it was a good idea to do battle with 80,000 to 120,000 Ethiopians.
Holding this sword, which was strangely well balanced for such an awkward looking weapon, had the feeling that it would be murderous in close combat.
Another note of curiosity was the handle; when I first got it I thought it to be made of wood, but seeing the area where there is a broken piece, makes me think it could be some type of horn.

8th August 2017, 01:51 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,184	Ethiopian or Eritrean Shotel I picked up this interesting shotel a few weeks ago at a gun show.At first I thought that it could be Ethiopian, however after seeing the inscription on the blade "VIVA IL RE," long live the king in Italian, and an Italian coin of King Victor Emmanuel III who reigned from 1900-1946 I reasoned it must belong to Italian Eritrean Colonial trooper.The Ethiopians drove the Italians out of their country after Adowa in 1896 where 15,000 Italians thought it was a good idea to do battle with 80,000 to 120,000 Ethiopians. Holding this sword, which was strangely well balanced for such an awkward looking weapon, had the feeling that it would be murderous in close combat. Another note of curiosity was the handle; when I first got it I thought it to be made of wood, but seeing the area where there is a broken piece, makes me think it could be some type of horn. Attached Images