Ethiopian or Eritrean Shotel

[thinreadline]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks to all for the very useful information.I am still not sure why an Abyssinian would have a sword made with "Long Live the King," in Italian," as they were usually in conflict.The Italian coin could be a war trophy, taken and placed on the pommel.
In regards to the handle, the place where it is broken, it is lighter and shows grain, which is consistent with horn, however, the color and the lack of translucency threw me off; could it have been dyed

I think the answer is that the Italian sword was captured or left behind after either the 1st Italo - Abyssinian War or even after the 2nd when the Italians left in 1941 . The blade could have been reforged locally and the inscription may well have had no significance to the new owner except as a decorative pattern ,

[Rick]

Obligatory.

[drac2k]

Ouch !That's going to leave a mark!