ETHIOPIAN WILKINSON SWORD

roanoa · 18th July 2016, 05:33 PM

This is the first truly European sword for the Ethiopian Cavalry that I have found for sale. Of course, I could not miss out on it.... I have seen several (in Museums) Imperial Cavalry swords, but they were all German made in the pattern we see in the few pictures of the Selassie's Imperial Body Guards, like the one I am posting. This one is different. Made by Wilkinson with the usual writing in Amharic: HENRY WILKINSON SWORD MAKER OF KING GEORGE V PALL MALL LONDON. I am still trying to find out the pattern of this sword. Any ideas?? Does any of you have the German pattern or knows where I can find one......

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th July 2016, 05:47 AM

Slightly odd as these were worn on the saddle not the man. Your very interesting picture showing barefoot with puttees and the swords somehow attached...though these in the picture with a different style of hilt...
Please see http://svalbardrepublic.org/ebay/wil...saber-0510.htm for the Wilkinson Gurade for Ethiopia.

kronckew · 19th July 2016, 08:37 AM

the ones in the photo do appear to be a lion headed pommel style with a barred guard. the guardsman second from the left seems to have a poorly leg. must have been a favourite relative to stay on active service after that injury. lack of shoes, as in the zulu impis, is not a measure of their effectiveness and probably only odd to us more pampered modernists. looks like a fairly std. sam browne belt with the common short/long straps attached to the two-ring scabbards & hung on the belt hook for use while on foot.

Jim McDougall · 19th July 2016, 07:03 PM

This would be the M1912 sword for British cavalry officers. Obviously this appears to be a variant of the pattern.

Nicely added post Ibrahiim showing the more commonly seen blades for Ethiopian gurade, in traditional form here often termed shotel in a collective sense with the deeply parabolic sickle types.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 20th July 2016, 02:37 AM

In addition Wilkinson Swords produced Gurade swords for Ethiopia ...as did other European factories; example also shown...I attach a Wilkinson advertisement for the Ethiopian Market. The Gurade on a blue backdrop is inscribed by Wilkinson in Amharic all down the blade...and the Hilt is Rhino.

Richard G · 20th July 2016, 12:58 PM

This looks like a 1897 pattern British infantry sword but with a grip and pommel resembling the 1912 cavalry pattern.
Regards
Richard

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 21st July 2016, 04:17 PM

18th July 2016, 05:33 PM	#1
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 233	ETHIOPIAN WILKINSON SWORD This is the first truly European sword for the Ethiopian Cavalry that I have found for sale. Of course, I could not miss out on it.... I have seen several (in Museums) Imperial Cavalry swords, but they were all German made in the pattern we see in the few pictures of the Selassie's Imperial Body Guards, like the one I am posting. This one is different. Made by Wilkinson with the usual writing in Amharic: HENRY WILKINSON SWORD MAKER OF KING GEORGE V PALL MALL LONDON. I am still trying to find out the pattern of this sword. Any ideas?? Does any of you have the German pattern or knows where I can find one...... Attached Images Last edited by roanoa; 18th July 2016 at 09:22 PM.

19th July 2016, 07:03 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	This would be the M1912 sword for British cavalry officers. Obviously this appears to be a variant of the pattern. Nicely added post Ibrahiim showing the more commonly seen blades for Ethiopian gurade, in traditional form here often termed shotel in a collective sense with the deeply parabolic sickle types. Attached Images

20th July 2016, 02:37 AM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	In addition Wilkinson Swords produced Gurade swords for Ethiopia ...as did other European factories; example also shown...I attach a Wilkinson advertisement for the Ethiopian Market. The Gurade on a blue backdrop is inscribed by Wilkinson in Amharic all down the blade...and the Hilt is Rhino. Attached Images Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 20th July 2016 at 11:05 AM.

20th July 2016, 12:58 PM	#6
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 405	This looks like a 1897 pattern British infantry sword but with a grip and pommel resembling the 1912 cavalry pattern. Regards Richard Last edited by Richard G; 20th July 2016 at 01:27 PM.

19th July 2016, 05:47 AM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Slightly odd as these were worn on the saddle not the man. Your very interesting picture showing barefoot with puttees and the swords somehow attached...though these in the picture with a different style of hilt... Please see http://svalbardrepublic.org/ebay/wil...saber-0510.htm for the Wilkinson Gurade for Ethiopia.

19th July 2016, 08:37 AM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,181	the ones in the photo do appear to be a lion headed pommel style with a barred guard. the guardsman second from the left seems to have a poorly leg. must have been a favourite relative to stay on active service after that injury. lack of shoes, as in the zulu impis, is not a measure of their effectiveness and probably only odd to us more pampered modernists. looks like a fairly std. sam browne belt with the common short/long straps attached to the two-ring scabbards & hung on the belt hook for use while on foot.

21st July 2016, 04:17 PM	#7
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408