Antique Rare Ethiopean Abyssinian Shotel Sword Dagger in Leather Scabbard For Sale

Antique and rare Ethiopian / Abyssinian shotel sword in the cowhide leather scabbard. Well forged massive blade with the central rib through the enitre length of the blade has areas of pitting and delamination, grip has minor chips but tight. Authentic and rare late 19 cen. sword. Good condition for its age. Blade lenght 74cm along the rib, handle length is 9.3cm. The Shotel sword s a deeply curved sickle shaped sword originated in Northern Ethiopia and dated back to very early times. Evidence exist of early use of Shotel swords in the kingdom of Axum in the middle ages. The deeply curved long blade was very efficient and used to rip mounted warriors off their horses and to hit opponent by reaching around their shield. The blade of a Shotel sword varies between 20 to 40 inches. In the 19 century shotel swords were replaced with less curved gurade swords mounted with European blades.