ETHIOPIAN, ANYONE?

[Nagawarrior]

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]

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

[Bill M]

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]

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]

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]

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?

[roanoa]

It's of course Menelik II. Menelik I, according to tradition, was the son of the Queen of Sheba and King Solomon. He fled Israel (with the Ark of the Covenant), followed the Nile to Abyssinia and founded the Solomonic Dinasty.
Your sword, made by Hoeller in Germany - according to Jeff - is often referred to as "officer" model. I have some reservation about that definition. Most likely it was purchased by some Ras and given to his entourage. It was certainly carried by men of status. I have seen quite a few of these (relatively speaking) and found out the blades, identical in scritps and decorations, came in at least three different curvatures. I'll post the pictures of the 3 ASAP. In the meantime, here is a picture of an important leader wearing one and the "page" that I produced of one of mine.

[roanoa]

Hi Bill. Me again. I snapped one quick picture just to show you the different curvatures. As I said, the blades are otherwise identical. I wonder if there was a straight blade as well... The hilt was plated. Grip was wood with a black plastic covering held in place by two strands of twisted copper wire.

[derek]

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:

[ariel]

Here are mine.
The first one is straight, with absolutely superb blade: rings like a bell! It has Roanoa's beloved "GG" mark and the Lion of Judah on the other side.
The curved one has a Russian blade, "Zlatoust August 1853 year"
Both have rhino (I mean it!) handles. The German one has original scabbard, the Russian one's scabbard is an old replacement.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by ariel

Here are mine.
The first one is straight, with absolutely superb blade: rings like a bell! It has Roanoa's beloved "GG" mark and the Lion of Judah on the other side.

Ariel,

My straight blade is identical to yours. Same marks. Lion of Judah on one side and GG on the other side. Same floral design in the double fullers. Everything! Must have been made by the same guy or at least same shop.

37" overall length, right?

Well, mine has a rhino grip -- no, cow -- no, it IS rhino -- wait - wait - cow -- a rhinocow . . . . . cowrhino -- more Ouzo, please. It is a cowino grip! Ah who cares?

Mine has a different grip but shaped like yours.

Posted in the other thread.

[Bill M]

Apologies for the reflection haze in the pictures. The original panel is on goat skin. I do believe it is modern, but interesting.

As I understand it the story depicted is:

When the Queen of Sheba ruled Ethiopia, a beautiful bird from the land of Israel flew over the Queen's palace. When the bird returned to Israel, he reported to King Solmon just what he had seen--a land ruled by a magnificent Queen, filled with endless mountains and unexplored wilderness. King Solomon ordered that the bird return to Ethiopia with an invitation for the Queen to visit the Land of Israel. When the Queen arrived, she showered the King with plentiful silver and gold, amber, spices, incense, and perfumes. King Solomon fell in love with the Queen of Sheba and that night, the two made love. Before returning to Ethiopia, the King offered Sheba a ring and asked that if she were to bare him a son, that she send their son and the ring back to him. When their son, Menelik, was old enough to travel, he was escorted to his father's kingdom in Israel. After being educated in Israel, Menelik requested to return home to Ethiopia. Solomon ordered that the counselor's first born sons accompany Menelik on his travels. The sons secretly carried the Ark of the Covenant from the Temple of Solomon into Ethiopia. Menelik became the Ethiopian King and the Falasha Jews claim descent from the sons of King Solomon's counselors. As the legend continues....

First picture shows something mystical happening. I can't figure it out.

[Bill M]

Second picture shows Sheba setting out to go to Solomon

[roanoa]

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.

[Bill M]

Originally Posted by roanoa

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.

Hi Ron,

So you are saying that rhino horn is dyed dark, but is normally amber yellow?

I have an article quoted from "Science Daily" (November 2006) that addresses the dark places at the center.

The horns of most animals have a bony core covered by a thin sheath of keratin, the same substance as hair and nails. Rhino horns are unique, however, because they are composed entirely of keratin. Scientists had been puzzled by the difference, but the Ohio University study now has revealed an interesting clue: dark patches running through the center of the horns.

The team examined the heads of rhinos that died of natural causes and were donated by The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio, and the Phoenix Zoo. Researchers conducted CT scans on the horns at O’Bleness Memorial Hospital in Athens and found dense mineral deposits made of calcium and melanin in the middle.

The calcium deposits make the horn core harder and stronger, and the melanin protects the core from breakdown by the sun’s UV rays, the scientists report. The softer outer portion of the horn weakens with sun exposure and is worn into its distinctive shape through horn clashing and by being rubbed on the ground and vegetation. The structure of the rhino horns is similar to a pencil’s tough lead core and weaker wood periphery, which allows the horns to be honed to a sharp point.

The study also ends speculation that the horn was simply a clump of modified hair.

“The horns most closely resemble the structure of horses’ hoofs, turtle beaks and cockatoo bills. This might be related to the strength of these materials, although more research is needed in this area,” said Tobin Hieronymus, a doctoral student in biological sciences and lead author on the study.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1106144951.htm

[spiral]

Rhino horn occurs naturaly in many colours, But sure its also easy to dye.

Spiral