Very Interesting Saif/Nimcha

S.Al-Anizi · 2nd February 2007, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the replies, Louie, David, Rhys, and Tim. I must confess, I never really knew what the hexagram really stood for in any of the three faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which they all used throughout history. I must also admit, that I know very little about Ethiopian ethnicity, culture, and symbols, which are one of the most interesting in the world. Thanks for the link and pointing that out David, very interesting to see a hexagram with a cross in the middle of it.

This blade is most probably European, made for the Ethiopian army, but found itself in Zanzibar or Yemen. I have seen many hexagrams on european sabre blades, especially wilkinson's, but never really understood what they stood for

As to Yemeni jews, they probably only worked in silver, their work being referred to as "ibri" by arabs, which means hebrew, and regarded as the best.

Jeff D · 3rd February 2007, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by S.Al-Anizi

found itself in Zanzibar or Yemen. I have seen many hexagrams on european sabre blades, especially Wilkinson's, but never really understood what they stood for

Hi Saqr,

The Wilkinson sword company started with the brass proof mark as a way of marking that their blades were superior. Other companies soon copied this practice. So Wilkinson started placing the hexagrams around their proof marks to differentiate themselves.That also was eventially copied.

Jeff

roanoa · 3rd February 2007, 12:42 AM

The six pointed star found on BRITISH blades has nothing to do with Judahism and Solomonic Dinasty. Has it been copied from the Star of David? Is it a coincidence? That I don't know. I do know, though, that it is quite simply the simbol used in Great Britain as a quality trade mark by the best blade makers. It indicated that the blade is of British origin. That's all. I'll try to get the inscription transated. Yes, Amharic is also spoken in Eritrea, just as Tigrinian is spoken in parts of Ethiopia. Both languages share the same alphabeth.

Zifir · 3rd February 2007, 07:40 AM

Similarly, the Seal of Solomon was widely used by the Ottomans. You find it in many places from buildings to weapons. The famous example which immediately comes to my mind is the famous flag of Barbarossa.

roanoa · 3rd February 2007, 06:00 PM

Now I am REALLY intrigued.... There are two sets of writing, as shown in the pictures. The clearer one does not make any sense to me (yet?), but the one that shows out of focus is easily readable and it says: GEORGE 5th, SWORD MAKER, PALL MALL, LONDON. Which is, OF COURSE, part of the inscription that Wilkinson wrote on his blades. The full inscription should read: Henry Wilkinson, sword maker for King George 5th, Pall Mall, London. So, is there more writing that doesn't show in the pictures? At any rate, considering all this and the general apperance of the sword, and the fact that the floral etching seems to be a poor imitation of the Wilkinson pattern, I'll venture to say that someone tried to emulate the appearance of a Wilkinson blade, down to the six pointed star. This makes, again in my opinion, a FANTASTIC find, if not for the intrinsic value of the sword, which may be not that great, for the historical value attached to it.

S.Al-Anizi · 3rd February 2007, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

Now I am REALLY intrigued.... There are two sets of writing, as shown in the pictures. The clearer one does not make any sense to me (yet?), but the one that shows out of focus is easily readable and it says: GEORGE 5th, SWORD MAKER, PALL MALL, LONDON. Which is, OF COURSE, part of the inscription that Wilkinson wrote on his blades. The full inscription should read: Henry Wilkinson, sword maker for King George 5th, Pall Mall, London. So, is there more writing that doesn't show in the pictures? At any rate, considering all this and the general apperance of the sword, and the fact that the floral etching seems to be a poor imitation of the Wilkinson pattern, I'll venture to say that someone tried to emulate the appearance of a Wilkinson blade, down to the six pointed star. This makes, again in my opinion, a FANTASTIC find, if not for the intrinsic value of the sword, which may be not that great, for the historical value attached to it.

Thanks for the info Ron, too interesting

3rd February 2007, 07:40 AM	#4
Zifir Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Istanbul Posts: 228	Similarly, the Seal of Solomon was widely used by the Ottomans. You find it in many places from buildings to weapons. The famous example which immediately comes to my mind is the famous flag of Barbarossa. Attached Images

2nd February 2007, 10:30 PM	#1
S.Al-Anizi Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Arabia Posts: 278	Thanks for the replies, Louie, David, Rhys, and Tim. I must confess, I never really knew what the hexagram really stood for in any of the three faiths, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, which they all used throughout history. I must also admit, that I know very little about Ethiopian ethnicity, culture, and symbols, which are one of the most interesting in the world. Thanks for the link and pointing that out David, very interesting to see a hexagram with a cross in the middle of it. This blade is most probably European, made for the Ethiopian army, but found itself in Zanzibar or Yemen. I have seen many hexagrams on european sabre blades, especially wilkinson's, but never really understood what they stood for As to Yemeni jews, they probably only worked in silver, their work being referred to as "ibri" by arabs, which means hebrew, and regarded as the best.

3rd February 2007, 12:42 AM	#3
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	The six pointed star found on BRITISH blades has nothing to do with Judahism and Solomonic Dinasty. Has it been copied from the Star of David? Is it a coincidence? That I don't know. I do know, though, that it is quite simply the simbol used in Great Britain as a quality trade mark by the best blade makers. It indicated that the blade is of British origin. That's all. I'll try to get the inscription transated. Yes, Amharic is also spoken in Eritrea, just as Tigrinian is spoken in parts of Ethiopia. Both languages share the same alphabeth.

3rd February 2007, 06:00 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Now I am REALLY intrigued.... There are two sets of writing, as shown in the pictures. The clearer one does not make any sense to me (yet?), but the one that shows out of focus is easily readable and it says: GEORGE 5th, SWORD MAKER, PALL MALL, LONDON. Which is, OF COURSE, part of the inscription that Wilkinson wrote on his blades. The full inscription should read: Henry Wilkinson, sword maker for King George 5th, Pall Mall, London. So, is there more writing that doesn't show in the pictures? At any rate, considering all this and the general apperance of the sword, and the fact that the floral etching seems to be a poor imitation of the Wilkinson pattern, I'll venture to say that someone tried to emulate the appearance of a Wilkinson blade, down to the six pointed star. This makes, again in my opinion, a FANTASTIC find, if not for the intrinsic value of the sword, which may be not that great, for the historical value attached to it.