just bought this...

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by chevalier

yea, im still not sure if its solingen or not

Actually its Finnish

Why would you think its not from Solingen?

Playing the name game with describing swords can be frustrating, but from my understanding is on Ethiopian swords, the straight blade swords are typically sa'if; the deeply parabolic sickle like swords are shotel, and curved sabres are GURADE/GORADE.
Whether technically correct or not, the widely accepted term for these European style sabres is GURADE (the horn grip swords with the same hilt as shotel and mounted with military style trade blades are techically considered gurade, though often mistermed shotel because of the hilt form).

This one is very nice, and it is amazing to see such straightforward description in this medium, the period and identification patently correct.

The G.G. marking is distinctly German and essentially a mark of guarantee, GESETZLICH GESCHUETZT, often appeared on forte of German blades, usually of course from Solingen. The blade etching seen on various German makers as well as on the English exports as Ethiopia (then Abyssinia) received weapons from both.