What: A kaskara sword marked “Magdala 13th April 1868”, etched on one side with the Abyssinian crowned lion and on the other with maker’s initials ‘G.G’, and a machete
Where: Auctioned to unnamed buyer at Christie’s, London on 16 July 2003 for £502.
The Christie’s catalogue entry reads: “The first with straight double-edged European blade (some surface pitting) with two fullers on each face etched with scrolls and strapwork, the ricasso etched on one side with the Abyssinian crowned lion and on the other with maker’s initials ‘G.G’, silver quillons of diamond section swelling at the tips, plain ivory grip inlaid on one side with a silver ‘tau’ cross and with silver collars, and reeded cylindrical silver pommel, in its original tooled red leather scabbard with silver mounts including central band engraved ‘Magdala 13th April 1868’; the second entirely of brass with curved single-edged blade inlaid in silver on one side ‘LEG.XXII.’, and with a silver coin of the Roman Emperor Postumus inset in the brass pommel
29¼in. (74.2cm.) and 21¼in. (54cm.) blades (2)
