Ethiopian Sabre and Mystery sword just won on eBay..comments please?

[katana]

Originally Posted by tom hyle

The straight sword seems European/Eurocolonial. Are you sure there's not a wooden handle under a wire wrap there? The cross-shaped guard does seem Turk/Persian derived. Did it once have a knucklebow, or why the asymetry to quillon and pommel?

Hi Tom,
Thanks for the reply I did notice that there once could have been a knucklebow...unfortunately I do not have the sword in my possession yet, so can't really comment but judging from the pics it seems there was a knucklebow which was removed due to damage or 'customisation'. I had assumed the handle was wood but again wont know until I received it.