LATE 18TH CENTURY PORTUGESE OR FRENCH COMMEMORATIVE SWORD. #9537

Description

A late 18th century, circa 1760 Portugese or French iron mounted sword, broad 22-inch, 56 cm single edged curved blade with a broad fuller either side along the whole length of the blade, the blade engraved with the date 1543 and a Turks head either side, carved bone hilt, iron cap, quillons and other fittings, overall 29 inches, 74 cm, no scabbard
#9573
The date 1543 commemorates the defeat of the Muslim army under Ahmed Gragn on the 21st February 1543 at the Battle of Wayna Daga by a combined army of Ethiopian and Portugese troops
On February 21, 1543, the Ethiopian force led by Emperor Galawdewos invaded Ahmad’s army in Lake Tana. The outnumbered Portuguese and Ethiopian forces shot and killed Ahmad in the battle. His troops, upon the loss of their leader, scattered and fled.
Imam Ahmed
Bin Ibrahim Al Ghazi
1506 – Feb 21, 1543 (age 37)