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Old 3rd October 2006, 04:43 PM   #1
roanoa
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Default ETHIOPIAN, ANYONE?

Hi guys. As you must know by now, I am interested in Ethiopian weapons. I would like to know how many of you share this interest, even marginally, and how many of you actually have Ethiopian weapons. Hope I'll get some response. Cheers, RON
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Old 3rd October 2006, 04:52 PM   #2
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I'm in Ron...even love the food too...but you already knew that.
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Old 3rd October 2006, 04:57 PM   #3
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Me too, as you know
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Old 3rd October 2006, 05:03 PM   #4
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Count me in!

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Old 3rd October 2006, 06:23 PM   #5
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How could you not be?
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Old 3rd October 2006, 06:58 PM   #6
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I like Gurades, but not food.... Sorry.
Read the most recent Flashman's adventure" Flashman on the March": British Magdala campain.
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Old 3rd October 2006, 08:52 PM   #7
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I like the women moslty but the weapons are nice too.
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Old 3rd October 2006, 09:22 PM   #8
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Rich history......and some very nice weapons......
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Old 3rd October 2006, 10:05 PM   #9
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Definitely find the weapons interesting. Going to have to try the food.
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Old 4th October 2006, 01:03 AM   #10
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Count me in Ron! I don't have any in my collection though, someone out here seems to be getting them all first .

Jeff
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Old 4th October 2006, 01:57 AM   #11
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Hi, guys. I'm happy to see some interest. I am sure there still are some guys out there that will join the team. I plan to share with you some of my best pieces (maybe one a week). I would be glad to shatre some food as well .... (Derho Wat is my favourite. SUPER hot!). At least one of you has mentioned the women. They are as fascinating as their swords and as spicy as their food. Cheers, RON
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Old 4th October 2006, 03:17 AM   #12
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Here is the first "gem" from my collection. A great Amhara shield of heavy leather, velvet and gilded decorations. I have showed you mine: show me yours!! Selamta. Ron
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Old 4th October 2006, 04:04 AM   #13
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Marginal interest in the weapons, especially saifs and gurades. Haven't tried the food, and maybe I should.
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Old 4th October 2006, 04:17 AM   #14
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Quote:
Originally Posted by roanoa
Here is the first "gem" from my collection. A great Amhara shield of heavy leather, velvet and gilded decorations. I have showed you mine: show me yours!! Selamta. Ron

roanoa

Here is one of mine a sword not a shield though.

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Old 4th October 2006, 02:09 PM   #15
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Default I really like Ethiopian pieces!

The the weapons and the religious artifacts are really neat. I have some swords with good german blades. One with a hilt that may be translucent rhino horn. Menelik period.

They even claim to have the Ark of the Covenant somewhere.

I really like the prayer scrolls / talismans.

Here is an Etiopean curiosity. About 4 inches long. Some kind of silver, probably low grade.

Any guesses? If you already know for sure, please hold off posting the answer. I think it would be fun to hear some guesses.
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Old 4th October 2006, 03:36 PM   #16
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Coke spoon if modern or ear cleaner if old?

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Old 4th October 2006, 04:15 PM   #17
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Hi Bill. SPIRAL nailed it! Post your swords, PLEASE.
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Old 4th October 2006, 10:24 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spiral
Coke spoon if modern or ear cleaner if old?

Spiral
Aww, Spiral, You gave it away! I was hoping for some off-the-wall guesses!
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Old 4th October 2006, 10:28 PM   #19
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My guess is a snuff spoon I always see the African snuff containers on ebay.



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Old 4th October 2006, 10:38 PM   #20
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The weapons I have are far from noteworthy but this is. I have not had confirmation that it is Ethiopian but i think it is. I also have a rather nice painting on vellum. I wander off subject. This might be the container for the coke.
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Old 5th October 2006, 03:32 AM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Simmons
The weapons I have are far from noteworthy but this is. I have not had confirmation that it is Ethiopian but i think it is. I also have a rather nice painting on vellum. I wander off subject. This might be the container for the coke.

Looks like a one time use lunchbox!
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Old 5th October 2006, 03:36 AM   #22
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I made a mistake in posting. I mant to REPLY and somehow got NEW THREAD. submitted it and then found out that I was wrong, but there seemed no way to put in in your thread. So here is a link.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=3282

I have more Ethiopian swords and stuff and will post them here in the right thread.
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Old 5th October 2006, 07:26 PM   #23
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Its a coke spoon then Bill?

I thought an ear wax collector was quite of the wall!

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Old 6th October 2006, 12:55 AM   #24
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Quote:
Originally Posted by spiral
Its a coke spoon then Bill?

I thought an ear wax collector was quite of the wall!

Spiral
It IS an ear wax collector! Did you just guess? That is really impressive!
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Old 6th October 2006, 10:45 PM   #25
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Sorry Bill just teasing,

You see similar tools in some kukri pouches. So semi-educated guess realy.

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Old 7th October 2006, 01:25 AM   #26
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OK, guys. Here is a selection of some European gurade grips and a couple of local imitation. The plain pommel (seen lots of these) has the Lion of Judah and the initial of Menelik on the lanquettes. The "Lion head" (lots of these also) has plain lanquette. The second "lion head" has a more elaborate design and the Lion of Judah on one of the lanquettes, the other one is plain. (Only seen two of these). The fourth one (unique) was copied/imitated in German silver by a local smith. Both lanquettes have the Lion of Judah. Last (also unique) is a gilded, locally made high quality one. Blade is a very nice Wilkinson. Both lanquettes have angels. Can any of you add to this?
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Old 7th October 2006, 05:11 AM   #27
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Didn't have a chance to show the examples I have of Ethiopian weapons in my earlier post. At least I'm pretty sure the shields are right.

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Old 7th October 2006, 07:28 AM   #28
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I can see your interest spans from Morocco to Somalia.... Nice gurade and shuields. Even nicer billao.
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Old 8th October 2006, 02:03 AM   #29
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Default gurade

I saw Ron's posting of the Guades and though I might post this one.

Did a little blade cleanup with 600 grit and 1500 grit sandpaper.

Sure would like to have a translation. I am sure that I will post these upside down. Have no ida about which way is corrrect, but everytime I ask for a translation, its upside down.

Does the GG and thermometer on the blade mean some sword manufacturer like Solingen?

Anyway here it is.
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Old 8th October 2006, 03:42 AM   #30
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The first word on the blade is MENELIK (Emperor of Ethiopia before Haile Selassie) and you have it upside down. Ethiopian sentences (in this case it's just a word) end with 4 dots as in the second inscription which is SAINT GEORGE (protector of Ethiopia). The writing on the ricasso is a bit of a puzzle because it says NIKOLA SUPPLIER TO THE EMPEROR and I have no idea of who this NIKOLA was. Maybe one of the many Armenian traders that supplied European goods to Ethiopia. The GG has generated a flurry of interpretations. Someone has suggested GRENAL of GLASGOW (doubt it...) or GEBRUDER GRAH (doubt it...). Jeff Demetrick and I had a discussion about this and we agree that in all likelyhood is GESETZLICH GESCHUETZT (ofter referred to as GES GESH) which I believe means REGISTERD MARK. I actually documented a sword that under the Lion of Judah has the words GES GESH. Jeff also identified the thermometer, but I have to dig out that info. Jeff: help!!
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