Ethiopean Sword

derek · 14th June 2005, 03:48 PM

Hi guys,

Just saw this one, several comments.

First, that's rhino. The first pics show it well. The way it's broken shows the fibers also.

As Jeff noted, and according to Mr. Wilkinson-Latham who provided me with a lot of blade rubbings, catalogs and copies of sword orders from Abyssinia, the G.G. is in fact the Ges Gesh mark that was stamped on blades exported from Solingen by various manufacturers. VERY cool that someone has already ID'ed the stamp on this sword. Julius Voos also sent many swords to Ethiopia.

The Lion of Judah is based on the claim that the emporers of Abyssinia are descended from Solomon & the "queen of Sheba". Solomon & David were of the tribe of Judah, as was Jesus, who is referred to as the conquering lion of Judah. Haille Selassie had many titles, this was one, along with Light of the World. There were a few good old threads on this in the old forum.

That's a fantastic sword, Bill. Rare to find a scabbard in such good shape.

Regarding the terms used, this is the best I can figure based on what I've read and seen, so don't hold it as etched in stone.

The recurved swords are called shotels.

The curved sabre styles are called gurades.

The straight swords are often referred to as seifs. Just a guess, but I'm thinking maybe the term "seif", which is obviously arabic, filtered in over time because they are shaped like the kaskara -- which I have read on this forum is also called a seif by locals very often.

roanoa · 10th July 2005, 11:48 PM

Sorry to disagree with some of you guys (Hi, Derek), but the hilt is NOT rhino. It is of bovine origin. Lots of humped cattle in Abyssinia with huge horns. I have enought rhino hilts and "cow" hilts in my collection to tell the difference. I agree that the main straight piece looks fibrous, BUT it is clearly "scaly". Cow horn will look translucent too. The give-away is the hole that is usully found in the "cross" piece. The tip of cow/buffalo horns is solid but not wide enough. So they are cut sideway and the end of the hole will show most of the times. By the way, I have seen several examples of the same sword with wooden hilts. And I have seen very crudely made shotes with rhino hilts. So the quality of the blade is not always associated with the quality, or material, of the hilt.

roanoa · 11th July 2005, 12:06 AM

As an afterthought, I am sending one more picture. The cross piece is VERY yellow and translucent. But NOT rhino. Just cow... Not that it makes any difference. One of the "flares" of the straight black piece is broken and it shows very clearly (not in the picture) its fibrous structure. But it is also cow. The cow horn fibres are very very tight and the single "strands" can be seen with some magnification. In the rhino horn, the individual strands are much coarser and can easly be seen by the naked eyes. I hope this will be of some help.

derek · 11th July 2005, 12:24 AM

I don't think I'm going to even attempt to ID one from the other at this point.

Roano, will you run down a list of features to look for that will confirm what a hilt is or isn't? We did this on another forum about a type of kukri and it was extremely helpful.

I'm further in doubt about a few others I've seen now............help.......

-d

spiral · 14th July 2005, 01:02 AM

Greatl info Roanoa! any more points to look out for? Its cool to find such knowledge.

thanks!

Spiral

10th July 2005, 11:48 PM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Sorry to disagree with some of you guys (Hi, Derek), but the hilt is NOT rhino. It is of bovine origin. Lots of humped cattle in Abyssinia with huge horns. I have enought rhino hilts and "cow" hilts in my collection to tell the difference. I agree that the main straight piece looks fibrous, BUT it is clearly "scaly". Cow horn will look translucent too. The give-away is the hole that is usully found in the "cross" piece. The tip of cow/buffalo horns is solid but not wide enough. So they are cut sideway and the end of the hole will show most of the times. By the way, I have seen several examples of the same sword with wooden hilts. And I have seen very crudely made shotes with rhino hilts. So the quality of the blade is not always associated with the quality, or material, of the hilt. Attached Images

11th July 2005, 12:06 AM	#3
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	As an afterthought, I am sending one more picture. The cross piece is VERY yellow and translucent. But NOT rhino. Just cow... Not that it makes any difference. One of the "flares" of the straight black piece is broken and it shows very clearly (not in the picture) its fibrous structure. But it is also cow. The cow horn fibres are very very tight and the single "strands" can be seen with some magnification. In the rhino horn, the individual strands are much coarser and can easly be seen by the naked eyes. I hope this will be of some help. Attached Images

14th June 2005, 03:48 PM	#1
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi guys, Just saw this one, several comments. First, that's rhino. The first pics show it well. The way it's broken shows the fibers also. As Jeff noted, and according to Mr. Wilkinson-Latham who provided me with a lot of blade rubbings, catalogs and copies of sword orders from Abyssinia, the G.G. is in fact the Ges Gesh mark that was stamped on blades exported from Solingen by various manufacturers. VERY cool that someone has already ID'ed the stamp on this sword. Julius Voos also sent many swords to Ethiopia. The Lion of Judah is based on the claim that the emporers of Abyssinia are descended from Solomon & the "queen of Sheba". Solomon & David were of the tribe of Judah, as was Jesus, who is referred to as the conquering lion of Judah. Haille Selassie had many titles, this was one, along with Light of the World. There were a few good old threads on this in the old forum. That's a fantastic sword, Bill. Rare to find a scabbard in such good shape. Regarding the terms used, this is the best I can figure based on what I've read and seen, so don't hold it as etched in stone. The recurved swords are called shotels. The curved sabre styles are called gurades. The straight swords are often referred to as seifs. Just a guess, but I'm thinking maybe the term "seif", which is obviously arabic, filtered in over time because they are shaped like the kaskara -- which I have read on this forum is also called a seif by locals very often.

11th July 2005, 12:24 AM	#4
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	I don't think I'm going to even attempt to ID one from the other at this point. Roano, will you run down a list of features to look for that will confirm what a hilt is or isn't? We did this on another forum about a type of kukri and it was extremely helpful. I'm further in doubt about a few others I've seen now............help....... -d

14th July 2005, 01:02 AM	#5
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Greatl info Roanoa! any more points to look out for? Its cool to find such knowledge. thanks! Spiral