Ethiopian swords

[Bill M]

I just realized I accidently started a new thread. I meant to post in the recently opened ETHIOPIAN thread. Sorry.


First is a picure of my display. The shield is Ethiopian. Looks pretty neat, but I don't think it is really old. Has a "native" repair to a cut. Have seen several like this with similar "repairs." It is some kind of very thick leather.

Taureg sword with dagger at the bottom. The sword to the right is a shotel, made for getting around the enemys' shield. Must have been quite a surprise for the enemy. Actually a bit unweildy.

The sword to the left of the shield is one of my favorites. We have had a discussion here before about the hilt. Could be translucent rhino horn, some dealers think it is. Other people on the Forum think it is cow horn. Could be. I'd like it to be rhino, but won't cry if it is not.

So here are the pictures of the "Rhino Horn:"

[Lew]

Bill

The horn is beautiful but it's not rhino I have a sword with a darker hilt and when I compared it to a rhino horn jambiya I can see the difference. Rhino horn has this dot matrix at the end piece it looks like if you took a bunch of dry spaghetti in your hand and was looking down at one end of it.

I'll see if I can get a picture of what I am talking about. Here is a link that shows the matrix.

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-witm...rhino_horn.htm


Lew

[RSWORD]

A good way to determine if it is rhino horn or not is to moisten your hand and grab the hilt and see if it feels sticky. If it does, it is rhino horn. This is why it was popular has a handle material. When your hands got sweaty they would not slip off because of the sticky nature of rhino horn. Bovine horn would not be sticky at all. Rhino horn comes in a variety of shades and the lighter coloration is not a concern. Let us know if it is sticky. I'll bet it is.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by RSWORD

A good way to determine if it is rhino horn or not is to moisten your hand and grab the hilt and see if it feels sticky. If it does, it is rhino horn. This is why it was popular has a handle material. When your hands got sweaty they would not slip off because of the sticky nature of rhino horn. Bovine horn would not be sticky at all. Rhino horn comes in a variety of shades and the lighter coloration is not a concern. Let us know if it is sticky. I'll bet it is.

uh, oh, it is sticky. I tried moistening my hands and holding the hilt and it was definetely more sticky than the Pira with the horn handle or the horn handle khukuri. The horn on those was noticeably more sllippery. Don't have more pieces with known cow horn.

Any other tests?

I can see how a sticky sword handle would be a good idea if you got sweat and/or blood on it.

What about the translucency of it?

Guys, half the fun of collecting is showing pictures and pieces to friends.

Please look me up in Atlanta if any of you are ever visiting. I'd like to get your opinions.

And if you have questions on a particular piece, it is simple to get it down and take a few pix. I have a small studio permenantly set up, so this is easy.

I like to learn and have good freinds. Is this a great world or what?

[Yannis]

IMO it is rhino horn. As we have said before this material can take different colors, from light honey to almost black. The lighter the color, the more translucent the piece. Also it could be cut in different styles. In this hilt the grip is vertical (like |||) and the pommel is horizontal (like =). So to see the dots (the end of the hair) look the pommel in angle.

[Bill M]

will try to get an end view. not easy. Using strong backlighting. Picked up a little lens flare.

Trying to see what Lew means in his post rgarding the"horn Tubules" and "intertubular matrix." The names alone are worth a look! I think that the magnification they use in the article is beyond my camera's abilities.

Lew's link:
http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-witm...rhino_horn.htm

So for this and other reasons I am looking at microscope cameras on eBay! Hah! An excuse to buy more toys!

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Bill

The horn is beautiful but it's not rhino I have a sword with a darker hilt and when I compared it to a rhino horn jambiya I can see the difference. Rhino horn has this dot matrix at the end piece it looks like if you took a bunch of dry spaghetti in your hand and was looking down at one end of it.

I'll see if I can get a picture of what I am talking about. Here is a link that shows the matrix.

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-witm...rhino_horn.htm


Lew

Lew,

Thank you for your info and link. I believe that you are right. There is a difference in your microscopic picture.

I love learning and am always happy to know more even if the hilt is not what I would like it to be. I would rather learn than hold incorrect knowlege and opinions.

Like you say, it is beautiful. What do you think it might be? Cow horn?

What about the blade?

[Ian]

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

http://www.oucom.ohiou.edu/dbms-witm...rhino_horn.htm

Lew

Excellent reference Lew. Great article to download and keep on file.

Ian.

[Bill M]

Rhino Horn?