Ethiopian swords

[kahnjar1]

Here is an earlier link to an Ethiopian blade which has been rehilted, probably in the tribal regions of North Africa.
The blade is Solingen.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=8997
Since the original post, this sword has now come to me for safe keeping, and there was further discussion regarding the blade in a later post which I can not locate. Anyway, the thought was that the blade had started life being straight and had later been reforged.
I do not agree with this, as the filigree work in the fullers would have been "stretched" had this occured. The filigree is consistant throughout the curve.
Attached are a couple of pics, one from the original post, and another recent one. You will note that the knucklebow has now been replaced.
Stu

[Battara]

Interesting piece. The "silver" parts look like aluminum to me.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Battara

Interesting piece. The "silver" parts look like aluminum to me.

Yes you are right......
Stu

[MUFASA]

Originally Posted by ariel

And now- with a Russian blade. Imperial Russia ( IR), as always, tried to align herself with faraway nations. Ethiopia was a Christian land surrounded by Islamic nations, a seemingly ideal target. Thus, at the end of the 19th century, IR sent surplus of good old blades there together with " volunteers" and " advisers" ( similar to today situation in Syria)
This blade carries an engraving on its spine " Zlatoust august 1853 year"

very interesting blade!!!

[ariel]

Without seeing the sword, I doubt it has filigree in the fullers. My bet is on a simple engraving. I also have a feeling that it might have been reforged to give it a slight curvature: sabers usually do not have double edging. Would be interesting to see the inscription: usually those were located closed to the handle, where bending ( and distortion) would be minimal.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by MUFASA

very interesting blade!!!

Yes, you are correct. The only one I have encountered so far. Likely it is the result of Mashkov’s expedition to Addis Ababa in 1889 and the resulting sales of Russian military equipment to Ethiopia. Russian mountain guns were used at the Battle of Adwa. Likely, my sword is from the same period and the same battle.

[kronckew]

cool sword. Good job on the knuckle bow.

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by roanoa

There are more tigers in the USA than in India!

Very true.

They, like the SA ones are however mostly 'Hybrids', mixed 'race', ie. from different locational strains, and thus discriminated against by the Mainstream Animal Conservation groups as not worthy of being released into the wild tiger areas as they may contaminate the blood lines. Racism exists for animals too. Personally, I'd release a few into the Rockies near the elk areas and see what happens. Add some spice to the lives of the hikers. Might teach the local cougars and griz a few things about the food chain too. Wolves might get better press...

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Here is an earlier link to an Ethiopian blade which has been rehilted, probably in the tribal regions of North Africa.

IMHO
It's a Yemeni sword.
This will also make more sense with the Ethiopian blade.