Kaskara

[Iain]

Agree with Ed and Jim, 20th century, likely 1920-1950s blade, locally made the marks imitating the well respected and desired Kull pattern from the mid 19th century.

[Martin Lubojacky]

I am not owner of the sword on the picture below (and I don´t have more pictures). It is Ethiopian seif... Is the stamp original Kull?

[Jim McDougall]

Actually no, this is simply a lion in similar character in couched (lying) position in the manner of this example but not oriented the same. It seems possible that these may have some reference to the Lion of Judah which was the royal emblem of Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia but these lions are with crown and lion holding a banner. Whatever the case, it seems more an allusion to quality or such blade imbuement.


The rampant lion used by Kull (attached) seems similar to the 'perillo' mark of Spanish swordsmith Julian Del Rey which was supposed to be a 'little dog' but looks more like a lion. The use of Spanish marks was common in Solingen.

[Iain]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

I am not owner of the sword on the picture below (and I don´t have more pictures). It is Ethiopian seif... Is the stamp original Kull?

Hi Martin, as Jim has stated this does not appear to be a Kull blade, but to my eyes does look to be a European stamp, especially considering the volume of blades Ethiopia imported from European suppliers. This could be from any number of the workshops operating around Solingen in the 19th century.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Thank you Jim and Iain, I saw the sword - it was definitely rehilted. The blade is of high quality - still absolutely straight, strong, flexible. The stamp seems to be too much detailed/realistic - to be of local production.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Maybe Agip-Eni ?

[roanoa]

Martin, I like your sense of humor.... I doubt, though, that too many people would even know about the AGIP lion, which, of course, has SIX legs....

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by roanoa

Martin, I like your sense of humor.... I doubt, though, that too many people would even know about the AGIP lion, which, of course, has SIX legs....

Good one guys! It seems I learn something (a lot of things) new every day around here! I had never heard of this 6 legged lion.....what is that about?

Iain, very much agree, this definitely seems to be a European stamp but I cannot place it among varied Solingen marks. Perhaps it is among the many which become prevalent among knife makers etc later in the 19th c.

I have always wondered, and possibly you might have encountered or considered, that importers in entrepots in Africa might have had stamps as used in Europe.
We always look to the quality of such marks on blades hoping to determine if European or native, but some recurring marks seem of European quality while oriented atypically on blades.