Ethiopian belt??

Martin Lubojacky · 19th February 2019, 08:14 AM

Just, two remarks when I am again expecting the pictures of a horseman above.

1. Mules - I read i various books that good mules were considered more valuable than horses in Ethiopia (stronger in mountains)
2. Very typical stirrup for one finger only ... (for me uncredible, I would wrench my finger off ...¨)

Norman McCormick · 19th February 2019, 07:21 PM

Hi Martin,
Less than usual rifle this chap has, full stock with double set triggers probably German or Austrian. Not the kind of firearm I would have expected to see in this context but again this area is not one I am familiar with.
My Regards,
Norman.

Martin Lubojacky · 20th February 2019, 05:34 PM

Hi Norman,
I am bad at old rifles. I think there was mixture of long guns from all over the world in that time Ethiopia and all of them were fit for military purposes ...
Regards,
Martin

Norman McCormick · 20th February 2019, 05:41 PM

Hi Martin,
The reason I was a bit surprised is that this particular rifle would not have been military issue but would have been a comparatively expensive hunting rifle in a very European configuration. Thanks for getting back to me.
My Regards,
Norman.

Martin Lubojacky · 21st February 2019, 06:04 AM

Hi Norman,
You are right ....

(I think the picture could be from twenties or maybe thirties from the last century. At that time there were suppliers of hunting arms living in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Small business (not as military supplies). The community of foreigners in both cities was relatively big, already. E. g. only from the former Czechoslovakia there was cca 30 settled entrepreneurs in both cities in twenties and thirties(which is a little bit strange for me...)
I knew one of them personally. He arrived at the age of 18 to dire Dawa in 1926. When I met him, he was 95. For ten years (till 1936) he supplied foreigners and rich Ethiopians with motorcycles and - good hunting rifles made in Czechoslovakia. But he was one of many, I think. There was luck of arms and everything was "suitable")

Best,
Martin

Fernando K · 21st February 2019, 11:52 AM

Hello

As for the gadget presented here, it is a kind of necklace, which was placed on the neck of the mule or the horse to hold it tied, plus the brake to direct it. Here in Argentina it is known as the FIADOR. As for the stirrup to fit between the fingers, it was also used, for which a simple stick or a bone was used, for which the pony boot had an opening in front, to leave the fingers in the air

Richard G · 21st February 2019, 12:16 PM

Double set triggers on Mausers for hunting were not that unusual in the 1920's and 1930's.
I can see the benefit for long range European stalking, but not so sure about African big game!
Best wishes
Richard

19th February 2019, 07:21 PM	#2
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Martin, Less than usual rifle this chap has, full stock with double set triggers probably German or Austrian. Not the kind of firearm I would have expected to see in this context but again this area is not one I am familiar with. My Regards, Norman. Attached Images

19th February 2019, 08:14 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Just, two remarks when I am again expecting the pictures of a horseman above. 1. Mules - I read i various books that good mules were considered more valuable than horses in Ethiopia (stronger in mountains) 2. Very typical stirrup for one finger only ... (for me uncredible, I would wrench my finger off ...¨)

20th February 2019, 05:34 PM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Norman, I am bad at old rifles. I think there was mixture of long guns from all over the world in that time Ethiopia and all of them were fit for military purposes ... Regards, Martin

20th February 2019, 05:41 PM	#4
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,618	Hi Martin, The reason I was a bit surprised is that this particular rifle would not have been military issue but would have been a comparatively expensive hunting rifle in a very European configuration. Thanks for getting back to me. My Regards, Norman.

21st February 2019, 06:04 AM	#5
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Hi Norman, You are right .... (I think the picture could be from twenties or maybe thirties from the last century. At that time there were suppliers of hunting arms living in Addis Ababa and Dire Dawa. Small business (not as military supplies). The community of foreigners in both cities was relatively big, already. E. g. only from the former Czechoslovakia there was cca 30 settled entrepreneurs in both cities in twenties and thirties(which is a little bit strange for me...) I knew one of them personally. He arrived at the age of 18 to dire Dawa in 1926. When I met him, he was 95. For ten years (till 1936) he supplied foreigners and rich Ethiopians with motorcycles and - good hunting rifles made in Czechoslovakia. But he was one of many, I think. There was luck of arms and everything was "suitable") Best, Martin

21st February 2019, 11:52 AM	#6
Fernando K Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 671	Hello As for the gadget presented here, it is a kind of necklace, which was placed on the neck of the mule or the horse to hold it tied, plus the brake to direct it. Here in Argentina it is known as the FIADOR. As for the stirrup to fit between the fingers, it was also used, for which a simple stick or a bone was used, for which the pony boot had an opening in front, to leave the fingers in the air

21st February 2019, 12:16 PM	#7
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 411	Double set triggers on Mausers for hunting were not that unusual in the 1920's and 1930's. I can see the benefit for long range European stalking, but not so sure about African big game! Best wishes Richard