Ethiopian Gurade sword

[francantolin]

Hello everybody,

I'd like your comments about this sword,
it is a large african sword, I think an Ethiopian gurade,
I's pretty big: 96 cm / 37,8 inches.

I wonder if the blade is a local production or an european one ?
( no stamps at all ... ).
I think it's an old ( 19th century ) model but ?...

The hilt is made of two parts,
it is made of horn ,
maybe rhino ? ( The grip part more than the second, but I'm not a specialist)

Strange the big hole on one size of the hilt,
Can a parasite of the horn do that ?
Or this part of the hilt was made with ''remains / leftovers'' of a piece of horn ?

Kind regards

Francky

[francantolin]

And the hilt

Thank you !

[francantolin]

Maybe these three picture can help,
pictures made with more day light !
a little translucent, nice color !!
looks like rhino for me !
What I found on internet

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi and thanks for nice pictures.
Because of the structure visible on the two pictures below I would tend to cow horn .... Nevertheless the lower part of the handle is not as distinct as the upper one, as you said.
The hole is relatively frequent in the case of the cow horn, but I don´t know the reason. I would say it was not done by insect. (maybe it has something with the sealing or maintaining of iron thorn or/and the handle ?)

[Martin Lubojacky]

I forgot the two pictures

[francantolin]

Hello Martin,

Thank you for your comment,

If the hole are made by insects have you an idea which product can destroy it
(without damaging the horn ) ?
I cleaned it first with low degree alcool then ''oiled '' it with linseed oil,
I know it work for protect wood from parasites, but for horn ?...

Kind regards

[roanoa]

The "hole" is typical of grips made from large "cow" horns. The cow and buffalo horns are sheaths covering a bone. When removed from the skull the horns are hollow. The cavity ends where the horn gets to be solid (at the tip). Cutting off a slab of horn from the solid part usually leaves a visible "hole". On July 30/2005 I posted a brief discussion under ETHIOPIAN SWORD FOR COMMENT. The issue of the "hole" is dealt with (right or wrong?). Take a peak.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi, I did not think about the hole from this point of view -what Ron writes is of course true and it is the most free and easy explanation.

As far as insects eating wood, textile and e s p e c i a l l y horn are concerned: After a years of a bad experience I do this. I put the item to the quarantine when I bring them home, especially if they are directly from Africa. As soon as possible I bring them to the irradiation place (which is used e.g. by the museums, also importers of spices etc) - I have good luck it is near from Prague. When the hidden eggs and embryos of insect (also mould - it depends on the time of irradiation) are damaged by radiation (damaged just for this one moment - it could be attacked again), further conservation (for the future) by some liquid solution is recommendable - but it could also damage the patina on the surface, so you have to consider it. If you have only a few items with horn parts, which are shown off, than I would give it the deep six - you would see the changes caused by insects immediately and you can act. But if you put the things to some deposit, then it is good to preserve them in good faith (because you could be surprised when you unpack them one year later).

[roanoa]

Well, here is the drawing that I posted a few years back. It's a BAD drawing, but I think it offers a good explanation.....

[francantolin]

Hello,

Thank you for the advices about horn parasites !!!
I'll take care !

I knew that bovidae, capridae have a bone under the horn ( and not the rhino),
but I found strange that the sword maker choose a piece with such a big hole consciously , especially a common buffalo horn piece !!

Is it common ??
Isn't the hilt and the sword less solid like that ?
I think it was a real 19th century fighting sword ? ( what do you think ??)
it's sabotage for me ''create'' it like that !?

[roanoa]

Of course your sword is a REAL fighting sword. The blade is probably from a "recycled" hussar (light cavalry) blade. The hole in the grip does not weaken it in any way. Virtually every single gurade/shotel/seif with buffalo horn hilt that I have seen/owned/have show the "hole". This question has been raised over the years a few times. Check old discussions. By the way, there is a LOT of info in old threads and it is worth the while to check that out. I believe it is a must for new members (or old members with new interests) to go back a few years and read all has been written on the subject.

[francantolin]

Thank's !!!

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by roanoa

Of course your sword is a REAL fighting sword. The blade is probably from a "recycled" hussar (light cavalry) blade. The hole in the grip does not weaken it in any way. Virtually every single gurade/shotel/seif with buffalo horn hilt that I have seen/owned/have show the "hole". This question has been raised over the years a few times. Check old discussions. By the way, there is a LOT of info in old threads and it is worth the while to check that out. I believe it is a must for new members (or old members with new interests) to go back a few years and read all has been written on the subject.

Ron, I notice that you note the terms for Ethiopian swords in tandem gurade/shotel/saif and I recall not too long ago you pretty much clarified the proper terminology. Could you reiterate?

I had thought these with the horn grip were termed shotel, just as with the sickle bladed types, and that the gurade was a military/European style sword.


This was incorrect and I think you pointed out that 'gurade' was more a universally used term in Abysinnia/Ethiopia for sword. I cannot recall where the shotel term came in.


Interesting here as well, that buffalo horn was used in these hilts, and not always rhino, as again I had long thought. Always a learning experience here!! and Ron, you have always given us great insight in these things.

[roanoa]

OK.
SEIF (SAIF) = DOUBLE EDGED STRAIGHT BLADE
GURADE (GORADE) = CURVED BLADE (USUALLY SINGLE EDGE)
SHOTEL = DOUBLE EDGED SICKLE SHAPED

Nothing to do with shape of hilt or material. European "D" hilts are found fitted to gurade, though a lot of gurade are fitted with horn or wood grips.

Cheers, RON

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by roanoa

OK.
SEIF (SAIF) = DOUBLE EDGED STRAIGHT BLADE
GURADE (GORADE) = CURVED BLADE (USUALLY SINGLE EDGE)
SHOTEL = DOUBLE EDGED SICKLE SHAPED

Nothing to do with shape of hilt or material. European "D" hilts are found fitted to gurade, though a lot of gurade are fitted with horn or wood grips.

Cheers, RON

Perfect!!! Thanks Ron!