Ethiopian Sword

manteris1 · 17th June 2005, 04:27 PM

Hi everyone-

I have an Ethiopian Gorade. It has marks that I don't recognize. There is a mark on the top of the blade that looks like it might be "& GUNBY" and on the blade it looks like a crown with a number "4" underneath. There are also 3 other miscellaneous marks.
Any help would be appreciated. Sorry no pictures yet.

Thanks................jimmy

Jeff D · 17th June 2005, 04:37 PM

Hi Jimmy,

Most likely it is Osborn & Gunby A maker from London. Early 1800's.The other symbols will have to wait until I see the photo's.

Hope this helps.
Jeff

derek · 17th June 2005, 11:30 PM

Hi Jimmy,

Good to see you posting again.

Can't wait to see the pics of that one.

-d

manteris1 · 18th June 2005, 04:49 PM

thanks, Jeff......

roanoa · 18th June 2005, 11:10 PM

Hi Jimmy. I really want to see the pictures of this one. Do not keep us waiting.... It was good to see you in Baltimore. Cheers, RON AZZI

Jim McDougall · 19th June 2005, 12:46 AM

Hi Jimmy,
It really is great to see you posting!!! We all missed ya!!
Jeff is exactly on target on this blade which as he notes Osborne & Gunby were prominant British swordmakers in Birmingham very active with the M1796 patterns. The marking of a crown over a numeral was inspection marking from the Tower, and after 1820 this marking changed to a letter between the crown and the numeral (Robson, p.191).

We know that British makers were extremely active in supplying blades to Abyssinia in the latter 19th and early 20th century, but most were blades manufactured by Wilkinson and Mole. It does seem reasonable that surplus blades may have been supplied prior to the large contracts for manufacture. It seems that quite a number of British blades became available in Arabia, thence to Ethiopia via thier presence in Aden also, and Ron Azzi and Derek can address this much better than I.

Wheres the pictures!!!

Ya didn't sell this one already did ya!!?? Can never forget the shotel incident in Baltimore!!! The best!!!!
Welcome home Jimmy!
All the best,
Jim

Jeff D · 19th June 2005, 06:35 AM

Thanks Jim, I forgot that they had a Birmingham office as well

.

Jeff

Jim McDougall · 19th June 2005, 05:00 PM

Hey Jeff!
Thats makes us even, I didn't realize Osborne also had the London office!!

Rechecking May & Annis, sho' nuff, both listings were there. Also showed Osborn and Gunby listed by that format from 1808-1820 which again places that blade between those years.
All the best,
Jim

17th June 2005, 04:27 PM	#1
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	Ethiopian Sword Hi everyone- I have an Ethiopian Gorade. It has marks that I don't recognize. There is a mark on the top of the blade that looks like it might be "& GUNBY" and on the blade it looks like a crown with a number "4" underneath. There are also 3 other miscellaneous marks. Any help would be appreciated. Sorry no pictures yet. Thanks................jimmy

18th June 2005, 04:49 PM	#4
manteris1 Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 114	thanks thanks, Jeff......

17th June 2005, 04:37 PM	#2
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Hi Jimmy, Most likely it is Osborn & Gunby A maker from London. Early 1800's.The other symbols will have to wait until I see the photo's. Hope this helps. Jeff

17th June 2005, 11:30 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Jimmy, Good to see you posting again. Can't wait to see the pics of that one. -d

18th June 2005, 11:10 PM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 237	Hi Jimmy. I really want to see the pictures of this one. Do not keep us waiting.... It was good to see you in Baltimore. Cheers, RON AZZI

19th June 2005, 12:46 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	Hi Jimmy, It really is great to see you posting!!! We all missed ya!! Jeff is exactly on target on this blade which as he notes Osborne & Gunby were prominant British swordmakers in Birmingham very active with the M1796 patterns. The marking of a crown over a numeral was inspection marking from the Tower, and after 1820 this marking changed to a letter between the crown and the numeral (Robson, p.191). We know that British makers were extremely active in supplying blades to Abyssinia in the latter 19th and early 20th century, but most were blades manufactured by Wilkinson and Mole. It does seem reasonable that surplus blades may have been supplied prior to the large contracts for manufacture. It seems that quite a number of British blades became available in Arabia, thence to Ethiopia via thier presence in Aden also, and Ron Azzi and Derek can address this much better than I. Wheres the pictures!!! Ya didn't sell this one already did ya!!?? Can never forget the shotel incident in Baltimore!!! The best!!!! Welcome home Jimmy! All the best, Jim

19th June 2005, 06:35 AM	#7
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Thanks Jim, I forgot that they had a Birmingham office as well . Jeff

19th June 2005, 05:00 PM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,957	Hey Jeff! Thats makes us even, I didn't realize Osborne also had the London office!! Rechecking May & Annis, sho' nuff, both listings were there. Also showed Osborn and Gunby listed by that format from 1808-1820 which again places that blade between those years. All the best, Jim