German Trade Blades

Tim Simmons · 26th April 2006, 08:17 PM

The heavy straight German bladed swords used in Abyssinia are very nice indeed. I am not that impressed with the light cavalry type sabre like this one with the GG and thermometer stamp. I must add that most of the light cavalry type I have seen always display signs of considerable use.

roanoa · 26th April 2006, 09:35 PM

Hi guys. Just to share a couple of thoughts on the subject of imported blades. A few historical considerations first. The French were very "cozy" with the Ethiopians. In Menelik's time, French was the official diplomatic language and Court records were kept in French. The French also built the first railroad (Addis Abeba - Dire Dawa to the Somali coast). So one will find MANY French blades in Ethiopia. Some clearly marked, some rather anonymous. The German were masters in East Africa till WWI when they lost their colonies to the Brits. So they were neighbours. Easy enough for their blades to find a market. British blades became popular after WWI. Kenya and British Somalia being good neighbours with Ethiopia. British blades were held in such a high esteem that the word LONDON was used by the Ethiopians to mean EXCELLENT. Finally one must consider that the blades were not imported by the "government" but by suppliers, mostly of Armenian origin, who would market them on the Harar and Addis Abeba markets. Many blades would carry the name of the importer/supplier (like TERZIAN) and these name are often, wrongly, thought to be the name of the makers.

M.carter · 26th April 2006, 09:55 PM

Hello,

My dad has offered to buy me a gift and name it for my graduation next month, I chose a sword! Ehtiopian. Im still wondering which one to get, a broadsword, with the G.G blade, or the sabre, just like the one in your pic Tim. Both probably have seen some use, as both have light nicks on the edge(s), and have been resharpened (although carefully), and what appears to be blood stains. Stains that go almost vertically up the edge, and are quite thick. I wonder which one to get, the saber, or the Broadsword? Both are in good condition, which is more valuable as a collective piece? Im leaning towards the broadsword, but the saber is attractive too

I also found another broadsword, with apparently a British blade. The blade has been shortened, and has been etched with faces, and amhari script. I cant remember what is says on the ricasso, but im sure it was '(......) & (.....) CO.

How about these blade, G.G, wilkinson, were they well made by today's standards? I mean well hardened, tempered?

Tim Simmons · 26th April 2006, 10:04 PM

Get the one in the best condition. Just because a sword or knife is sharp does not mean it has been used. The light sabre is designed with some flexibility to hit hardish objects like heads at spead usually with the last section of the blade. I would go for the one with the best scabbard even if the blade might have a few patches of rust and so on. Tim.

M.carter · 26th April 2006, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

Hi guys. Just to share a couple of thoughts on the subject of imported blades. A few historical considerations first. The French were very "cozy" with the Ethiopians. In Menelik's time, French was the official diplomatic language and Court records were kept in French. The French also built the first railroad (Addis Abeba - Dire Dawa to the Somali coast). So one will find MANY French blades in Ethiopia. Some clearly marked, some rather anonymous. The German were masters in East Africa till WWI when they lost their colonies to the Brits. So they were neighbours. Easy enough for their blades to find a market. British blades became popular after WWI. Kenya and British Somalia being good neighbours with Ethiopia. British blades were held in such a high esteem that the word LONDON was used by the Ethiopians to mean EXCELLENT. Finally one must consider that the blades were not imported by the "government" but by suppliers, mostly of Armenian origin, who would market them on the Harar and Addis Abeba markets. Many blades would carry the name of the importer/supplier (like TERZIAN) and these name are often, wrongly, thought to be the name of the makers.

Other than trade blades, have you seen any military issue blades on ethiopian swords? Ive seen a pattern 1822 on an arabian sayf once, that was really cool.

roanoa · 26th April 2006, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.carter

Other than trade blades, have you seen any military issue blades on ethiopian swords? Ive seen a pattern 1822 on an arabian sayf once, that was really cool.

I have one with a mint French military blade (haven't found out which pattern yet), one with a German light cavalry blade and one with a British patten 1796 hatchet point (unfortunatelly this one is badly rusted.).

M.carter · 27th April 2006, 07:00 PM

Ive just seen the other sword. The writing on the ricasso reads:

GHKHA & Co

HARRAR

Now I know that harrar was a town in Abyssinia, but does anyone know what the letters in the first line says?

26th April 2006, 08:17 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	The heavy straight German bladed swords used in Abyssinia are very nice indeed. I am not that impressed with the light cavalry type sabre like this one with the GG and thermometer stamp. I must add that most of the light cavalry type I have seen always display signs of considerable use. Attached Images

26th April 2006, 09:35 PM	#2
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Hi guys. Just to share a couple of thoughts on the subject of imported blades. A few historical considerations first. The French were very "cozy" with the Ethiopians. In Menelik's time, French was the official diplomatic language and Court records were kept in French. The French also built the first railroad (Addis Abeba - Dire Dawa to the Somali coast). So one will find MANY French blades in Ethiopia. Some clearly marked, some rather anonymous. The German were masters in East Africa till WWI when they lost their colonies to the Brits. So they were neighbours. Easy enough for their blades to find a market. British blades became popular after WWI. Kenya and British Somalia being good neighbours with Ethiopia. British blades were held in such a high esteem that the word LONDON was used by the Ethiopians to mean EXCELLENT. Finally one must consider that the blades were not imported by the "government" but by suppliers, mostly of Armenian origin, who would market them on the Harar and Addis Abeba markets. Many blades would carry the name of the importer/supplier (like TERZIAN) and these name are often, wrongly, thought to be the name of the makers.

26th April 2006, 09:55 PM	#3
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Hello, My dad has offered to buy me a gift and name it for my graduation next month, I chose a sword! Ehtiopian. Im still wondering which one to get, a broadsword, with the G.G blade, or the sabre, just like the one in your pic Tim. Both probably have seen some use, as both have light nicks on the edge(s), and have been resharpened (although carefully), and what appears to be blood stains. Stains that go almost vertically up the edge, and are quite thick. I wonder which one to get, the saber, or the Broadsword? Both are in good condition, which is more valuable as a collective piece? Im leaning towards the broadsword, but the saber is attractive too I also found another broadsword, with apparently a British blade. The blade has been shortened, and has been etched with faces, and amhari script. I cant remember what is says on the ricasso, but im sure it was '(......) & (.....) CO. How about these blade, G.G, wilkinson, were they well made by today's standards? I mean well hardened, tempered?

26th April 2006, 10:04 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Get the one in the best condition. Just because a sword or knife is sharp does not mean it has been used. The light sabre is designed with some flexibility to hit hardish objects like heads at spead usually with the last section of the blade. I would go for the one with the best scabbard even if the blade might have a few patches of rust and so on. Tim.

27th April 2006, 07:00 PM	#7
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Ive just seen the other sword. The writing on the ricasso reads: GHKHA & Co HARRAR Now I know that harrar was a town in Abyssinia, but does anyone know what the letters in the first line says?