German Made Ethiopian Officer's Sword? ---- Comments

Bill M · 18th May 2006, 12:57 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

Any ideas about the blade inscriptions?

Other comments? Don't hold back, now.....

katana · 18th May 2006, 01:29 PM

Nice,
the Heraldic device on the langet is familiar, but at present I can't recall its origin. Will try and find out and post it.

kronckew · 18th May 2006, 08:44 PM

it's haile sellasie's

someone else will have to decipher the etheopian markings. the thermometer symbol with the accompanying GG i think is a well known german trademark. nice sword, wish i'da been able to buy it...

M.carter · 18th May 2006, 09:01 PM

Ive handled an identical sword to this one, very nice, light, well balanced blade, very much a German cavalry saber. Thats all I can say about it.

roanoa · 25th May 2006, 03:28 PM

The LION OF JUDAH on one of the lanquettes is the symbol of Ethiopia, not of Haile Selassie. As a matter of fact, this sword pre-dates Haile Selassie of about 40 years. The other lanquette carries the Ethiopian alphabet letter M for MENELIK. The name MENELIK is written in full on one side of the blade. The writing on the other side is SAINT GEORGE. On the ricasso the writing is NIKOLA PROVIDER TO THE EMPEROR. This Nikola fellow was most likely the importer of these swords to Ethiopia at the time. Cheers.

Bill M · 25th May 2006, 07:17 PM

roanoa,

Thanks for the good info. If this predates Haile Selassie by about 40 years, that would make it about 1889-1911 for the term of Menelik II.
Or could this refer to Menelik I? Can't find any info on Menelik 1.

18th May 2006, 12:57 PM	#1
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	German Made Ethiopian Officer's Sword? ---- Comments http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1 Any ideas about the blade inscriptions? Other comments? Don't hold back, now.....

18th May 2006, 01:29 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Nice, the Heraldic device on the langet is familiar, but at present I can't recall its origin. Will try and find out and post it.

18th May 2006, 08:44 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,178	it's haile sellasie's someone else will have to decipher the etheopian markings. the thermometer symbol with the accompanying GG i think is a well known german trademark. nice sword, wish i'da been able to buy it...

18th May 2006, 09:01 PM	#4
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Ive handled an identical sword to this one, very nice, light, well balanced blade, very much a German cavalry saber. Thats all I can say about it.

25th May 2006, 03:28 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 233	The LION OF JUDAH on one of the lanquettes is the symbol of Ethiopia, not of Haile Selassie. As a matter of fact, this sword pre-dates Haile Selassie of about 40 years. The other lanquette carries the Ethiopian alphabet letter M for MENELIK. The name MENELIK is written in full on one side of the blade. The writing on the other side is SAINT GEORGE. On the ricasso the writing is NIKOLA PROVIDER TO THE EMPEROR. This Nikola fellow was most likely the importer of these swords to Ethiopia at the time. Cheers.

25th May 2006, 07:17 PM	#6
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	roanoa, Thanks for the good info. If this predates Haile Selassie by about 40 years, that would make it about 1889-1911 for the term of Menelik II. Or could this refer to Menelik I? Can't find any info on Menelik 1.