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