Ethiopian or Eritrean Shotel

drac2k · 8th August 2017, 03:27 AM

Yes, I thought the same thing. Maybe they could take an Italian sword and reforged the edges, or perhaps it looks that way because of extensive sharpening.

mariusgmioc · 8th August 2017, 07:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drac2k

Yes, I thought the same thing. Maybe they could take an Italian sword and reforged the edges, or perhaps it looks that way because of extensive sharpening.

Yes, it is a European blade that was reshaped/reforged into a Shotel.

Martin Lubojacky · 8th August 2017, 07:08 AM

The blade of this shotel was reforged/made of originally straight "saif", which was special made /bespoked (incl. the etching) for Abyssinian customer in Europe (e.g. Wilkinson and others, but very probably not Italian).

Emmanuel III. coin still does not mean, it was Eritrean. In Abyssinia they mostly used big Maria Theresia silver coins for such purpose, and it did not mean the swords were Austrian.

Empirical experience: Always, when the handle of such shotel consists of 3 parts, it was made of horn. One part - usually wood.

Best,

Martin

8th August 2017, 03:27 AM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,258	Yes, I thought the same thing. Maybe they could take an Italian sword and reforged the edges, or perhaps it looks that way because of extensive sharpening.

8th August 2017, 07:08 AM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	The blade of this shotel was reforged/made of originally straight "saif", which was special made /bespoked (incl. the etching) for Abyssinian customer in Europe (e.g. Wilkinson and others, but very probably not Italian). Emmanuel III. coin still does not mean, it was Eritrean. In Abyssinia they mostly used big Maria Theresia silver coins for such purpose, and it did not mean the swords were Austrian. Empirical experience: Always, when the handle of such shotel consists of 3 parts, it was made of horn. One part - usually wood. Best, Martin