ETHIOPIAN, ANYONE?

katana · 3rd October 2006, 08:22 PM

Rich history......and some very nice weapons......

Nagawarrior · 3rd October 2006, 09:05 PM

Definitely find the weapons interesting. Going to have to try the food.

Jeff D · 4th October 2006, 12:03 AM

Count me in Ron! I don't have any in my collection though, someone out here seems to be getting them all first

.

Jeff

roanoa · 4th October 2006, 12:57 AM

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

roanoa · 4th October 2006, 02:17 AM

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

TVV · 4th October 2006, 03:04 AM

Marginal interest in the weapons, especially saifs and gurades. Haven't tried the food, and maybe I should.

Lew · 4th October 2006, 03:17 AM

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.

Lew

Bill M · 4th October 2006, 01:09 PM

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.

Nagawarrior · 7th October 2006, 04:11 AM

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.

roanoa · 7th October 2006, 06:28 AM

I can see your interest spans from Morocco to Somalia.... Nice gurade and shuields. Even nicer billao.

Bill M · 8th October 2006, 01:03 AM

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.

roanoa · 8th October 2006, 02:42 AM

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!!

Jeff D · 8th October 2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

Jeff: help!!

Hi Ron,

I thought the Bat signal looked like a thermometer tonight

.

the thermometer was used by the Solingen firm of F.W. Holler 1866-1975.

Hope this helps
Jeff.

Bill M · 8th October 2006, 06:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by roanoa

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!!

I gues this would have to be Menelik the second?

Does this help date the sword to the period of the early 1900s? Or could it be later and just refer to Menelik?

Did these guades often have blades like this with the words and floral designs?

What can you tell me about the sword?

derek · 9th October 2006, 12:24 AM

Been out of town all week, so here's my belated "count me in".

The shotel on top is one of my personal favorites, the 4th from the top is a Wilkinson:

Roano should remember this one....

That shotel closer up:

roanoa · 8th January 2007, 12:17 AM

Well, guys, it's been a while. Happy 2007 to all. In an attempt to revitalize this thread I am posting a couple of pictures and thoughts about rhino horn hilts used in Ethiopian swords. Having closely observed several dozens, here's my conclusion. The "core" of Rhino horn is dark gray, almost charcoal black. The "dark" part will of course vary in diameter depending on the size of the horn. From the "core" the horn will get lighter in colour and turn into an amber-yellow shade. My first picture clearly illustrates what I mean. So where do the reddish/brown hilts come from? The gorgeous hilt in the second and third pictures gives the answer. The hilt had been dyed... As one can see from the breakage, the inside of the horn is still amber yellow and the surface shows an minimal amount of penetration of the dye. I hope this gives an answer to those who believe that rhino horn comes in different colours.... Cheers.

4th October 2006, 02:17 AM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	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 Attached Images

4th October 2006, 01:09 PM	#8
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	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. Attached Images

8th October 2006, 01:03 AM	#11
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	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. Attached Images

8th January 2007, 12:17 AM	#16
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	rhino horn colour Well, guys, it's been a while. Happy 2007 to all. In an attempt to revitalize this thread I am posting a couple of pictures and thoughts about rhino horn hilts used in Ethiopian swords. Having closely observed several dozens, here's my conclusion. The "core" of Rhino horn is dark gray, almost charcoal black. The "dark" part will of course vary in diameter depending on the size of the horn. From the "core" the horn will get lighter in colour and turn into an amber-yellow shade. My first picture clearly illustrates what I mean. So where do the reddish/brown hilts come from? The gorgeous hilt in the second and third pictures gives the answer. The hilt had been dyed... As one can see from the breakage, the inside of the horn is still amber yellow and the surface shows an minimal amount of penetration of the dye. I hope this gives an answer to those who believe that rhino horn comes in different colours.... Cheers. Attached Images

3rd October 2006, 08:22 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Rich history......and some very nice weapons......

3rd October 2006, 09:05 PM	#2
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	Definitely find the weapons interesting. Going to have to try the food.

4th October 2006, 12:03 AM	#3
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Count me in Ron! I don't have any in my collection though, someone out here seems to be getting them all first . Jeff

4th October 2006, 12:57 AM	#4
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	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

4th October 2006, 03:04 AM	#6
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,664	Marginal interest in the weapons, especially saifs and gurades. Haven't tried the food, and maybe I should.

7th October 2006, 04:11 AM	#9
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	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.

7th October 2006, 06:28 AM	#10
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	I can see your interest spans from Morocco to Somalia.... Nice gurade and shuields. Even nicer billao.

8th October 2006, 02:42 AM	#12
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	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!!

9th October 2006, 12:24 AM	#15
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Been out of town all week, so here's my belated "count me in". The shotel on top is one of my personal favorites, the 4th from the top is a Wilkinson: Roano should remember this one.... That shotel closer up: