Ethiopian Shotel or Gurade to share

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by werecow

Were both blades used in the region? I also have a gurade with a 1796 profile blade (I can post pics if anyone is interested). FWIW the distal taper on the gurade is significantly more gradual than the blade on my JJ Runkel 1796, and it is not as thick at the base. I've been given to understand that the M1811 were often more forward weighted than the 1796 so I've always just kind of assumed that it's a Blucher blade. But I don't know how much variation there was in either the 1796 or the Blucher so maybe it's meaningless.

Definitely pictures help.
This is a tough one as while the British 1796 was effectively replaced by the M1821 saber with a cut and thrust blade with 'spear point' instead of the radiused hatchet point....it continued in some production later for native cavalry in India.

The German M1811 is similar to the British 1796, but the earlier, the 'beefier' is the general axiom. These also were produced in great number and actually even used up to WWII.

The thing is, both England and German suppliers were sending both gurade and shotel blades to then Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in in latter 19th into 1930s.

The thing is, whether early British or German examples might have ended up in Ethiopia. For the most part, it seems unlikely as most of the emphasis for blades was for broadsword (kaskara) type blades, however later in the 19th century into 30s blades for gurades and shotels became popular as the colonial struggles continued with Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy.

The factor involving other sources for blades into North Africa in some degree is India, and trade action always provided potential for incidental numbers of blades that may have come from there. For the most part these I would regard as anomalies, but the later influx of British and German blades of course are a bit more recognizable.

[Jim McDougall]

First is a GURADE (SE curved saber) which is clearly German made and has the GG and thermometer (Ges Gesch=guarantee, the therrmometer believed FW Holler)often seen on various German made blades. In this case it is the entire sword made up for Abyssinian forces probably early 20th c. The M may be for one of the suppliers possibly in Harrar.
Note the distinct Lion of Judah symbol (for the rule of Menelik II, 1889-1913, later Haile Selassie) on the langet. The blade has acid etched Amharic script.

Next is a native gurade, with German made blade, note etched Lion of Judah, which seems consistent with these German examples for Abyssinia of the 1890s into early 20th c.
The hilt is rhino but left in its translucent state. The pommel decoration is used rather than often seen Maria Theresa thaler.

The native SHOTEL (DE curved), with what seems a native blade with typical raised midrif and likely 1870s+ and rhino hilt. These were used well through 1930s,

Just wanted to add these to illustrate the German blades, hilt variation, and the military style gurade.

The Amharic shield used and photo of Menelik II

[Martin Lubojacky]

The handle is very likely made of very hard ebony wood (the grooves on the underside, caused by processing, would correspond to this). I don't think the Ethiopians deliberately stained the handles. Over years of use in field conditions, and by hanging the weapon in a room that did not have a fireplace with a chimney, a crust-like patina often developed that completely covered the original color of the material. A hilt with a "highlighted back" is not so common. Similarly, this sheath with a blunt end is relatively rare to see and, in my opinion, is of an "older type" (in Ethiopia) than the classic sheath
Best regards,
Martin

[Edster]

Note the brown tips.

[drac2k]

Thanks to all for the very informative observations. I also thought that the scabbard was unusual and picture worthy(even though I didn't know why). The stitching also looked a bit out of the ordinary as well; am I wrong?

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Thanks to all for the very informative observations. I also thought that the scabbard was unusual and picture worthy(even though I didn't know why). The stitching also looked a bit out of the ordinary as well; am I wrong?

To me the scabbard is one of the great features here, and it seems Ive seen that stitching method before, I thought on the curious types shown in "African Arms and Armor" (Christopher Spring). It shows Ethiopian gurade with similar scabbard but with vertical handle at tip to hold as blade withdrawn.

This same type scabbard occurs on the curiously hilted sabers which were deemed Berber and from Morocco. Actually these were from Cuban regions and used as machetes, and were with conscripts who were sent to to Morocco by Spanish in insurgencies there in 1920s.\

Note the use of old British M1796 blades which were heavily reprofiled at tip.
I always thought it unusual to see this type of scabbard with gurade as shown in 'Spring', but given the trans Saharan trade networks, we see examples such as the s'boula come up to the east as far as Zanzibar.
Interesting they also occur in Ethiopia, so clearly there was a linear route which took Moroccan materials there.

[Jim McDougall]

Found the pics, "African Arms and Armor" Christopher Spring, 1993, British Museum (plate 24) ,
The upper gurade is with the M1796 type cavalry blade as previously noted.
Below is what appears a complete anomaly, it is a M1796 British stirrup hilt but with the M1821 light cavalry blade, entirely in original mounts.

Both are with local Abyssinian scabbards with vertical handle at tip, as shown in the 'Berber' example previous.

When the British M1821 three bar hilt saber for light cavalry was introduced, in the transitional period, many of the troopers preferred the heavy hatchet tip blade and a number of them had the new hilt on old blades.
Perhaps this was a case of the old stirrup hilt preferred (there were issues with the new hilts being restrictive etc.)
The bigger question, how did what was clearly a quite early example of the British light cavalry saber end up in Ethiopia before the later colonial impacts?

Next (op.cit. plate 24) is an Abyssinian court official wearing shotel c.1845.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

This same type scabbard occurs on the curiously hilted sabers which were deemed Berber and from Morocco. Actually these were from Cuban regions and used as machetes, and were with conscripts who were sent to to Morocco by Spanish in insurgencies there in 1920s.\

Jim, my research on these is that they are from the Dominican Republic and that is about it.

Is there any evidence that these ever ended up in the Maghreb in large numbers? By the Rif rebellion, the Dominican Republic had been independent (or under Haiti occupation) for about a century so I am not sure why Dominicans would participate in Spanish colonial conflicts in Africa, and even if they did, why they would be armed with their own local weapons and not with standard issue Spanish patterns. If you have any info on Dominican irregulars in the Spanish Army during the early 20th century I am curious to see it along with the sources.

Teo

[werecow]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Definitely pictures help.
This is a tough one as while the British 1796 was effectively replaced by the M1821 saber with a cut and thrust blade with 'spear point' instead of the radiused hatchet point....it continued in some production later for native cavalry in India.

The German M1811 is similar to the British 1796, but the earlier, the 'beefier' is the general axiom. These also were produced in great number and actually even used up to WWII.

The thing is, both England and German suppliers were sending both gurade and shotel blades to then Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) in in latter 19th into 1930s.

The thing is, whether early British or German examples might have ended up in Ethiopia. For the most part, it seems unlikely as most of the emphasis for blades was for broadsword (kaskara) type blades, however later in the 19th century into 30s blades for gurades and shotels became popular as the colonial struggles continued with Great Britain, France, Germany and Italy.

The factor involving other sources for blades into North Africa in some degree is India, and trade action always provided potential for incidental numbers of blades that may have come from there. For the most part these I would regard as anomalies, but the later influx of British and German blades of course are a bit more recognizable.

Actually, now that I've put the gurade and the 1796 (at least I assume it is one; there is a barely visible JJ Runkel signature on the spine) side by side they're clearly very different; the fuller on the gurade is much narrower, shallower and shorter, it doesn't flare quite as much, plus the gurade has something like an "Indian ricasso". And as noted, the distal taper is not as abrupt. Not sure why I never noticed all those other differences before.

Perhaps the gurade's blade is local manufacture?

I really need to get a better camera, but for now here are the pictures. I added in my Shotel and the 1796 for good measure.

I've noticed that both the gurade and shotel are set into the grip at a slight angle. Presumably this is to aid edge alignment?

And also, both of these swords and a modern made Afar gile that I have are impossible to get into their scabbards. I barely got them out when I first received them. Is this a common problem? The gurade's is very tough, I think it's hide. Not sure what that odd cutout is for at the top.

Finally, what is the hole right beneath the flare of the pommel for? Presumably it has something to do with the construction, but it's at the wrong side for it to be a rivet.

[gp]

Question I have is what B would be used for ?

Is it :
a. ceremonial
b. executional
c. something else , but what

as I can hardly see it as a combat weapon ( which A clearly is) as it would not be easy to handle, swing and be fast in a cover and attack mode which one would have with the type of sword which A is, or standard European, Ottoman and even Indonesian ( thinking of the agility originating from Pentjak Silat) ....
The lengtht and curve would contradict a close combat advantage for the bearer of this weapon I think...
Also the force of a blow being blocked would be on the erea indicated by me with the 2 red arrows, would not be nice at all or comfortalbe for the wrist and also muscles fo the arm and wearing the carrier of such weaopn out...
What is your opinion ?

[werecow]

It's not the most nimble sword I own, but the shotel has a sturdy tip and is quite sharp on both sides, and (as a total amateur) I think very capable of doing damage. From what I understand they were used with shields (so probably not much blocking with the blade; hence no guard needed) and the curvature allows one to stab around the shield while the belly of it is excellent for draw cuts.

Here's a couple of guys sparring with trainer shotels:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BQyoCEd0SE

And with the curve forward:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUVVj2OWnHQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lALvrVLIPmE

And a flow exercise with an antique one:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-8MKbuLlmY

The pommel flare has a similar effect to the disc pommel of a tulwar and kind of forces you into a hammerfisted grip.

[roanoa]

The SHOTEL (sickle form) is a widely used combat sword of Abyssina. There have been many postings and discussions about its form and use. Search the Forum under shotel. This particular shotel has a grip made of buffalo horn, hence the "circular hole" at the bottom (again, this has been part of previous discussions). The "cut" at the top of the scabbard (very nice conditions, by the way) is to allow the proper fitting of the curved blade. Scabbard with split top part are often found in indo-persian, arabian and even European swords with extreme curvature. Ethiopian scabbards are made of raw skin that shrink over time and become very tight for the blade. This problem can be "solved" by coating the blade with a lot of leather softener/conditioner. After many tries and applications it seems to work.

[kronckew]

I recall seeing an old early 20c B&W film clip on a website dealing with African weaponry that showed two unarmoured Abyssinian warriors with shotels and large thick oval hide centre grip shields, mostly used to hook around each other's shields similar to the first video above - but the shields were much larger. It may have been recorded during their war with Italy. Sadly can't find it now.

[werecow]

Originally Posted by roanoa

This particular shotel has a grip made of buffalo horn, hence the "circular hole" at the bottom (again, this has been part of previous discussions).

Ha, when searching for "the hole" I seem to have found an earlier discussion of the same gurade from before it was in my possession that I had previously overlooked. So I guess it's a naturally occurring phenomenon then. And actually the way it tapers and is not quite round and a bit tilted should've probably given it away. It gives me a glimpse of the tang.

Originally Posted by roanoa

The "cut" at the top of the scabbard (very nice conditions, by the way) is to allow the proper fitting of the curved blade. Scabbard with split top part are often found in indo-persian, arabian and even European swords with extreme curvature.

I think the thing that throws me about the cutout in the sheath wrt helping with the flared tip and curvature is that, unlike in the case of Indo Persian and Arabian swords, the cutout does not extend all the way to the top.
Perhaps it's just me being clumsy, but the tip can sometimes get hung up on the cutout bit when inserting the sword into the scabbard (or, well, trying to do so, and getting stuck halfway through because it's too tight. ).

Originally Posted by roanoa

Ethiopian scabbards are made of raw skin that shrink over time and become very tight for the blade. This problem can be "solved" by coating the blade with a lot of leather softener/conditioner. After many tries and applications it seems to work.

Thanks for the tip!

[roanoa]

OK, so I guess I misunderstood. I though you were referring at the cut on the scabbard for the shotel. If you instead refer top the cut in the scabbard for the gorade, then there is no other explanation than that it may have been damaged.

[werecow]

Originally Posted by roanoa

OK, so I guess I misunderstood. I though you were referring at the cut on the scabbard for the shotel. If you instead refer top the cut in the scabbard for the gorade, then there is no other explanation than that it may have been damaged.

Yes indeed, I meant the scabbard for the gurade. There is actually no cutout in the one for the shotel (I expected there to be one before I actually got it), though it flares out a bit near the top.

I'll add some detailed pics of both scabbards in case anyone is interested. First the gurade's, which is pretty straightforward other than the odd cutout. Will add the shotel's in the next post.