Rifles of Emperor Menelik II: Ethiopian Gewehr 88 and Karabiner 88

[@TheFanatical1]

We're in African Mausers Week lads, get comfy.

[@mattjohnson7775]

Lol yes. Let's be honest does it get better than this?

[@soumyajyotimukherjee4752]

@@mattjohnson7775 Yes. It does. A week of videos of Ian shooting African Mausers.

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

But these aren't Mausers. They borrow from the 71/84, but are very much their own thing.

[@john-paulsilke893]

Very meenky looking guns though. Not sure I’d shoot them. These are selects, so I can only imagine what the wall hangers look like. (These look like wall hangers to me.) Don’t get me wrong. I love the historicity and of course the Mauser action and guns in general.

[@docod-vq6iv]

I Will get comfy comfy in my bed with my glocky glock

[@keithlarsen7557]

Italians: I'm in charge! Menelik II: Do you feel in charge?

[@kaboom138]

Italy: But, you signed that treaty! Menelik II: And this gives you power over me?

[@234jari234]

England: "We can't speak with you directly because you are a protectorate of Italy." Ethiopia: "Hold my Mauser."

[@vaclav_fejt]

@John Smith Italy lost *in the end.*

[@CatalinaThePirate]

"...I'ma what tha hutt!??..." 😆 Ian, master of the quaint turn of phrase! 😏

[@theblackprince1346]

@@CatalinaThePirate I really laughed out loud when he said that.

[@tonyheather-noon5291]

@John Smith Well they weren't prosperous, But Italy was

[@nathanielsolomon8608]

@John Smith KIKIKIKIKI

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

As to when these would have made it to Ethiopia, we can tell one thing about when that might have been from the markings. They both have the S stamp on the receiver, indicating that they got the cursory 'conversion' for spitzer ammo in that the throats were altered for it. The Kar 88 also has the punch mark indicating a heavy profile barrel and a small N.M. mark on the receiver indicating the updated and improved steel was used for it. The S mark alone means they were still in German service as of 1905 and to have the property of Menelik II marking means they had have come in pre-1909 I'd guess, so that gives a rough idea of when they arrived.

[@ethank.6602]

Needs to be pinned or hearted

[@davidpool3424]

@@ethank.6602 I heart this comment.

[@USSEnterpriseA1701]

@The Raisin Still .318. The groove change was denoted by a Z stamp. As the book I'm referencing says, that wasn't a terribly widely done conversion. One other thing I'll point out while I'm here, the cut he mentions in the receiver (not present on these) for 'longer cartridges' is actually something done to the Mauser clip converted guns in case they needed to feed the older 7.92x57 J cartridge from stripper clips, not to assist in feeding of the 7.92x57 JS. The spitzer bullets are significantly shorter than the old roundnose bullets, but the slight increase of thickness of the back end of the clip on the Mauser type compared to the Mannlicher type, combined with the slight relocation of the insertion point on the rifle (due to the added clip guides) caused problems when trying to load any of the old P.88 ammo that had been loaded into Mauser clips for the pre-S GEW. 98s.

[@menschman1464]

Be Italian: Don’t have a lot of colonies :( Invade Ethiopia: They probably are only armed with spears and shields lol: Giant army that outnumbers you 5/1 and is armed with brand stanking new Russian and German rifles and artillery shows up: Mama Mia:

[@1r0zz]

Well we were ruled by incompetent monarchy and similar cohorts. Most of Italy didn't even spoke the same language as dialects (Italian dialects are pretty much different languages from the same root) were much more common... And let's not even go on how prejudices were used as facts to take decisions. "Mamma Mia!" Indeed.

[@0ldFrittenfett]

@@1r0zz Indeed. Same in Germany by the way. If you speak perfect german, you will still not be capable to understand any german dialect.

[@TheRealRedRooster]

So thought the British when invading Zululand. Until Islandlwana...

[@TheLoxxxton]

@@TheRealRedRooster yes arses handed on plates all round! Mind you Rourkes drift gave British squaddies a few Victoria crosses in the process.

[@mananaVesta]

@@0ldFrittenfett Sorry, that`s not true. It takes longer to get used to some dialects than to others, but being incapable of understanding - no. Heck, as a German I can even communicate with a Dutchman (both in our respective languages), even though we only understand about 30% of what the other is saying.

[@ProbablyTooLoud]

The related history lesson is very much appreciated.

[@guyfawkes938]

The Abyssinian War gets even crazier when you look at who was actually supplying the guns to the Ethiopians. In addition to the French, Germans and Russians, many of the guns used by the Ethiopians were also Carcano M1891 rifles and some 4 million cartridges (the latter were particularly important, as Ethiopia did not have access to gunpowder production of their own), sold by the Italians directly to the negus prior to the war. In a further twist of irony and poor planning by the Italians, the colonial troops were fighting with the much older Vetterli-Vitali 70/87 models. So to add to the mess the Italians were selling their (relatively) brand new rifles to the people they were trying to occupy while supplying their own, actual colonial troops with older, outdated models.

[@kiirolozanogarcia3003]

In summary ; *they played themselves*

[@wayen925]

And that's the power of God not man

[@nebiyuesayas5600]

Even more ironically: during the second war, Nazi Germany sent a bunch of guns to them (some modern ones like the Mauser Standardmodell, the MP34 and MP35, and also some older ones like the Gewehr 98 and possibly surplus Gewehr 88 models). This was because Hitler knew Italy would object to the (future) Anschluss with Austria, so they decided to weaken Italy by giving weapons to Ethiopia to prevent them from doing so. The actual guns used aren't really discussed, but I know Ethiopia used all of those guns (some of which they bought, but some we can assume was given as aid), so I can guess that included stuff like the above. It also makes sense since Germany was rearming during that period (the Kar98k was adopted in 1935, and the MP40 would soon be adopted in 1938), they'd want to get rid of some of their inventory as surplus (and they never expected that they'd need all of it as reserves, because the Nazis thought they'd last forever lol).

[@scottkrafft6830]

Sold by the Italians directly to the who what now?

[@nebiyuesayas5600]

@@scottkrafft6830 Italy sold guns to Ethiopia before the war, thinking they wouldn't have to fight them. Ironically this happened for both wars.

[@Corndog4382]

One of my best friends is Ethiopian, he was saying that to this day most Ethiopians hold a lot of pride that they are the only African country to not be colonized.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

Well armed, trained, and organized peoples are not easily colonized or oppressed. I have been for years interested in Ethiopian resistance. I even remember in 1982 my world history class maps which showed the entire continent of Africa occupied except for Ethiopia. One of the things I found almost amusing was that the Italians tried a number of sneak attacks that didn't succeed because the Ethiopians would get up early for church. It was a joy to see these Mausers.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

I want to add something. Even to this day, I don't understand why Christians would attack other Christians. Power? Wealth? Resources? Claiming a monopoly of faith? As a Catholic, I am ashamed that this has ever happened and horrified that it happens to this day.

[@DiggingForFacts]

@@Abby_Normal_1969 Being the wrong kind of Christian tends to make things a LOT easier, especially in a historical perspective. Examples include: being Greek-Orthodox Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade, being British during the English Civil War (with Parlementarians and Royalist roughly split along religious lines) or being Dutch in the 80' years war. Usually it is not so much about faith per say, but more about how much political or perceived colonial capital can be gained. Especially in Africa, South America and Asia, religion was mostly made subordinate to things like ethnic background and the amount of power that could be projected. That's why there was often still an oppressor-slave relation, even if the locals had been converted to Christianity by missionaries.

[@Abby_Normal_1969]

@Carlo Canti - Not in the 1880s or 1890s. I am quite sure that Ethiopia defeated all Italian incursions. In fact, as I recall, the Italians had to resort to lies and deception to break Ethiopia, and even that did not work. If you are referring to the fascist invasion of Ethiopia in 1936 when they used mechanized units, chemical weapons, and air power to strike at civilians, women and children, well, then you are right. But I will remind you that when the fascist fought a more modern opponent, like the Greek, they were soundly defeated before the Nazis gave them aid.

[@ScottKenny1978]

@Carlo Canti and even then they lost armored units to dudes armed with spears! Ok, the armor was only cv33s and the natives basically rolled them over, but still!

[@Lemlem7682]

@@Abby_Normal_1969 Actually the pope of Italy at That time. He bless the bomb that was going to used on Ethiopia.

[@MadNumForce]

Why do these stories never make it to movies? Who cares about Black Panther when Menelik II actually existed and his story remains to be told to the largest audience?

[@clockworkmultiverse92]

I agree! I was immensely disappointed that Hollywood chose comic books over history (as usual), and that film does a disservice to Africa. Yet people applauded it as if it were breathtaking and represented some kind of milestone. I have no right to speak on behalf of Africans or African Americans, but I would be extremely pissed off if I were one of them.

[@bossel]

Because Ethiopia actually disproves the narrative of how great African nations would have done without colonialism. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_African_countries_by_Human_Development_Index

[@UNATCOAGENT]

@@bossel Keep in mind, Ethiopia went through a period of communist rule, which will kneecap pretty much any nation, especially a poorer African country

[@elbetelhabtegiorgis9451]

Well this kind of story doesn't get to be told because of somebody's still hasn't accepted their defeat

[@GAZAMAN93X]

Because Russia helped them & in the West's eyes Russia's the bad guy.

[@clevermcgenericname891]

The Italians made the classic military blunder of being Italians. Menelik, on the other hand, pulled the classic military gambit of being a badass.

[@ZGryphon]

@John Smith Riffing on the Italian military record in KZbin comments is propaganda now? Dang. Standards have dropped...

[@ZGryphon]

@John Smith Propaganda comes from governments. What you're protesting is just random bullshit on the Internet. :)

[@TheRogueWolf]

Italy: The Team Rocket of the early 20th century.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Hey, team rocket is more competent than that!

[@red36825924]

@@ScottKenny1978 The italian army were very competent but they were arrogant, just like any european force around that time against some african nation.

[@MusaMansu]

They did win twice. The first time they took Eritrea, Somalia and checked the advance of Mahdia Sudan Serobeti, Agordat and Kassala.

[@sjoak4084]

Italy: catfishes Emperor, cuts off his connection to the world and invades Ethiopia Menelik: I'm aboutta end this country's whole career

[@vasilikozhushner7208]

he kinda really did, their entire government sorta collapsed as a result.

[@docod-vq6iv]

What career WHAT CAREER

[@rogue7894]

He did.

[@AThousandPapercuts]

Menelik II was a badass

[@ima8533]

tired doctor it’s a reason why he’s the only emperor in the capital that has a big ass statue of him built like something like 90 years ago

[@amanrusom9498]

No he was not, he never fought at the front, he was betraying the country during a previous invasion. The warrior emperor was Yohannes 4. Fought the ottoman, Egypt,mahdists sudanese. Won them all, best general was Ras Alula. Greatest emperors were either Ezana or Kaleb,Dawit 2 or Yeqask, etc. Know your history before you shame us all. 3000 years is a lot.

[@TsegazeabBekele]

@@amanrusom9498 and where did that take him. God rest his soul. Because of his passing Eritrea fell into Italian hands. Fighting at the frontlines on a war he had already won. His reckless cost the battlefield and the generations after him for Ethiopia had to struggle for a new leader who had to prepare for a colonial invsaion. Before you point out blames you know better who lead the English to Tewodros who was the guardian of Menelik ll

[@DeanmC261993]

Technically they aren’t orthodox they are coptic which is a different sect, but it is much closer to eachother than obviously other forms. And it’s actually not the first time russia helped Ethiopia I believe either. I believe the germans actually sent more mausers to them during the Second Italo-Ethiopian War too. I can’t wait for more African weapon videos.

[@fritzkuhne2055]

its funny the only african nation to repell european colonisers was christian. im not religious, just interesting. i wonder if it was just the support from other christian nations or the religion itself that brought victory

[@DeanmC261993]

Fritz Kühne well, ethiopia has existed as a somewhat consistent entity far longer than a lot of other countries in general, but there are various reasons, one being its geography due to it being mountainous. To answer your question does them having an organized state religion contribute to having a more modern state apparatus, most probably. Obviously it didn’t save egypt and the other north african lands from being conquered by the rashidun and ummayad caliphates.

[@lavrentivs9891]

@@fritzkuhne2055 I don't know early modern european-african diplomacy in great detail, but it's entierly possible that european powers recognised them as fellow christians and had a less aggressive attitude to them. But as Botanist 95 points out, the terrain is much to Ethiopia's advantage, so it might just have been unrealistic for a 19th century european army to effectively colonise the country so they never attempted it until the italians tried it. And they wouldn't succeed until the mid 1930's and with the use of chemical weapons and tanks. They didn't hold on to Ethiopia for long though as they were kicked out by ehtiopian rebels and british forces during WWII. Edit: correcting a spelling error.

[@vrisbrianm4720]

Ethiopian Orthodox is Oriental Orthodox (along with Coptic) rather than Eastern Orthodox (Russian and Greek)

[@frankrodriguez3516]

Just a side note: The Ethiopian women I have seen are gorgeous!

[@Jairion]

It's odd to think that feudalism and modern firearms existed in the same period of time. Imagine how wonky modern feudalism would be with vassals and vassals of vassals, each having their own little warrior-class military. Knights in ornamental plate carriers and squires carrying extra ammo.

[@nobodyherepal3292]

Jairion: I think it would be a interesting world. It means large conflicts would be difficult to fight and they couldn’t go on very long with attrition eating away at there small warrior Castes

[@jenavevesnowolf13]

Democracy as well as central, fractional reserve banking and the doctrine of total war that it promulgated put an end to that sort of thing.

[@ima8533]

Yea it literally lasted until 1974 in parts of ethiopia until communism came

[@medic7698]

Really interesting Ian. Many thanks.

[@willers478]

I've done research on the battle of Adwa and this is an amazing find that made its way to the states. No way to tell if these weapons were used in the First Italio-Ethiopian conflict, of course, but the idea that they could be is amazing.

[@michaelhallman9032]

I've said before, Ian is one of the finest teachers I've ever seen. I had no idea the Ethiopian army had ever defeated the Italians. I'd always heard that Ethiopia was trying to fight off Mussolini with spears. Great stuff. and the reason why I subscribe.

[@ima8533]

Michael Hallman yea literally the whole country mobilized to fight off facist Italy and included some people who fought with horses and spears but the majority used rifles and machine guns, guns have been in ethiopia since the 1500’s

[@vincentking9980]

As always, a concise, yet educational as well as entertaining film👍 Keep up the great work M8!

[@bruhicusmomentus3060]

These were the guns that humiliated the Italian Empire

[@1r0zz]

The Italian "empire" would have humiliated itself even without these guns. Ma il mio non é uno sfottò razzista e ignorante...

[@Lowlandlord]

The Italian Empire repeatedly humiliated itself, these guns had little to do with it, they could have been muskets and it would have a similar outcome. The fucked up strategy, logistics and every other damn thing. Good soldiers, good rifles, bad leaders.

[@1r0zz]

@@Dawe360 more like monarchy, ignorance, under-development and disinterestedness for your own country.

[@1r0zz]

@@Lowlandlord "bad leaders" is kinda still too positive...

[@thasecondman]

@@1r0zz Yes, I think the combination of unmotivated overconfidence in the superiority of everything Italian and disregard, if not overt disgust, for the poor peasants that served as soldiers from the side of the rich and educated officers costed us two lost world wars that were fully avoidable, a ruined reputation and above all millios of losses. We should always remember that.

[@richpeters4705]

I have a Karabiner 88 in 7 mauser. Its made in SUHL in1907 by C. G. HAENEL. Still use it for deer hunting and the grandson used it this year also. Very smooth action,like silk.

[@mountainclawoutdoors]

Thank you for the information. I've always liked the history part of this channel.

[@jbeers1234]

Great video Ian. While the rifles themselves are unspectacular, the backstory is fascinating. Looking forward to more from this series.

[@plantain.1739]

Half the comments are Italians discussing their failed empire, and the other half is "Ha, spaghetti people fail. Ha ha"

[@sethmerriman7743]

I learn something new every time I watch your videos Ian, even when they're about guns or events that I thought I was well versed in, and I love it. thank you for all you do.

[@richardplacko1589]

always love these rare mausers

[@TheFanatical1]

Mauser rifles were exported widely but not manufactured nearly as widely. The AK was exported and manufactured very widely

[@blackore64]

G88 is not really a Mauser though

[@elsoldadomarquez]

The G88 os a Mauser, not so fine, but noneless.

[@rwaitt14153]

@UCx8vvHsssxOKo5Y2xsgsPzw Mausers aren't synonymous with bolt-action repeater. While it did have many widespread iterations it was very far from the only system that spread like that. The Lee, Lee-Metford, and Lee-Enfield had a similar run. Ditto the Mannlicher. Also, Kropatcheck/Lebel. Henry/Winchesters. Heck, even Krags and Vetterlis were globetrotters of a sort.

[@jackiepierce9281]

Im sure im not the first to tell you an't no mauser, mauser did have his paws in it, the law suit to the German empire, same with the Springfield 03 and the Americans I hear, one buck a gun

[@lathanchurch8352]

Damn I had no clue how hard Ethiopia rocked

[@lewisirwin5363]

5:15 It's Waitangi in New Zealand today, and here I am learning about a *second* bilingual-treaty fiasco. Ugh.

[@johnyricco1220]

The upset at the Battle of Adwa was a huge deal at the time. This was the first time a European army lost a war to a native army in the Industrial Age. It’s been overshadowed by the Battle of Tsushima a decade later. A few years after Adwa, China’s Boxer Rebellion was defeated by a coalition of Britain, France, US, Russia, Austro-Hungary, Germany, Italy and Japan. The Chinese government made concessions to all of them except Italy because of their perceived weakness losing to Ethiopia. Italy complained to the other European powers but was ignored.

[@67claudius]

I don't think so, the Chinese government gave Italy the concession of Tientsin. Little is studied here.

[@MusaMansu]

You have your history wrong. The Italians got a concession in Tientsin and they took over the Austrian-Hungarian concession after defeating them during the Great War.

[@Ashfielder]

Gave the Italians quite the shock at Adua.

[@ToastytheG]

@John Smith Italia can suck it. Ethiopia never needed you and so the motives are entirely apparent.

[@ToastytheG]

@John Smith That's right, they were better off mustard-gassed by mussolini. The problem is they were taken over by commies, and now China. Ethiopia can run itself, and quite well as history has shown.

[@nairobinyeusi5811]

@John Smith When? Italy got smashed by Abyssinia & never Ruled Ethiopia . Get over it😂

[@ima8533]

John Smith hows that coronavirus treating you, and isn’t Italy doing pretty bad in general compared to the rest of Europe? Asking for a friend

[@capscaps04]

@John Smith The italians got kcked out of Ethipia after WW2 ended.

[@PunchCatcher]

Great history lesson Really appreciated it.

[@chriszenier826]

Ian, thank you for the wonderfully explained Ethiopian history lesson! Very interesting!

[@mskills821]

What a great little piece of history!

[@tommyrockstar100]

Really liked this loved hearing about the history found it really interesting

[@IndeeshMukhopadhyay]

i love these more historical videos

[@bigdog4173]

Interesting history,I shall now research Menelik 2nd thank you

[@vaughanbussard1385]

I’ve been looking for and finally it’s here

[@bekeledaba787]

Matteo Francesco Albertone, OCI (Alessandria, 29 March 1840 - Rome 13 February 1919) was an Italian general, mostly known for his role during the First Italo-Ethiopian War. He led the Native Brigade during the battle of Adwa and was taken prisoner by the Ethiopians Other generals who lost their lives at the battle are Baratieri Giuseppe Arimondi, Vittorio Dabormida and Giuseppe Ellena. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matteo_Albertone

[@cipherthedemonlord8057]

Cool history and rifles. But I'm sure they'll overprice these guns now.

[@boggymann6469]

The price just went thru the roof

[@betterseatsinc2010]

True. T the same time they will be preserved. Before ww2 stuff in russia cost nothing nobody was digging it up. Now there is money and all of it gets recovered and preserved. This is the good part.

[@system3870]

Thanks to Ian for the skinny on this old Mauser.

[@timcanterbury9738]

Mikey B. would have these prohibited due to their "high capacity" internal magazines.

[@ToastytheG]

I'm sure he has some marinara-meatball mafiosos who would be happy to come and take them from you, too.

[@bigredwolf6]

If you can’t hit a deer with three rounds that deer deserves to live! Alright well limit your armed guards to three rounds

[@mindlmgrykm5032]

Ethiopia: Menelik II was brilliant , humble and hero leader as evidenced in true history of Ethiopia. He was a man of his own class.

[@trr94001]

The patina on those two is incredible.

[@TheEver1980]

Great content like always, I was hopping for a new channel "Forgotten History "

[@leonardoglesby1730]

That already exists. Take a look at "The History Guy" and his "History Deserves to be Remembered" kzbin.info/door/4sEmXUuWIFlxRIFBRV6VXQ

[@011CJ]

It is too bad these are sold out now I might have to go look at the ones the other guys have😥. Thanks for the vids

[@seculartapes]

I’m curious to see what other types of rifles were in that hoard... and what sort of prices IO will be asking for them. Anybody else get a two minute advert for the Moonies at the end of this video?

[@Devin_Stromgren]

Nope, make a wish.

[@Bloodreign137]

Devlin McCarthy IO sold everything off to classic firearms who are selling it all at 200% mark-up. On their website if you want to look

[@seculartapes]

Bloodreign137 $700 for a Vz52? Yikes. I should have bought one in the 2000s.

[@mananaVesta]

You know there is something called AdBlock ;-)?

[@jenavevesnowolf13]

It was all sold to Sweaty Ben of Classic Firearms. See his website and prepare to be raped if you want to buy any of it.

[@horzhrw]

Italian soldiers when the scrub starts speaking Amharic: 😱😱😱

[@uncoglionesultubo7808]

When roads starts to speak PAI ethiopians😱😱😱😱

[@nicholaspatton5590]

When the Skinnies begin to move in on the pizza pie crash site and you're running out of ammo.

[@johnmorgan1629]

The crown on the rifle markings, looks like an Ethiopian Coptic Crown. This would not be surprising due to the Christian population of the country.

[@redrobur68]

indeed, unknown history. Great video! Many thanks from Germany!

[@stefanosiclari]

5:34 basically the same thing that Cecil Rhodes did with King Lobengula in Zambezia through the Rudd Concession, although Rhodes was honest in his terms

[@mamokilo]

the amharic letters are his initial M and 2 as in Menelik the second

[@BuRsTiNxMLB]

Ethiopia has such awesome history

[@pelonehedd7631]

I was very small when My Grandpa Passed Away . A few years later My Brother and I were watching Zulu and My Dad who was second to the last in a family of twelve children said “ My Papa was in a battle like that when He was very young. He said they had them stacked like cordwood”. No one knew the name of the battle except it was in Abyssinia. My Grandma who passed away at 102 had a Italian military Decoration and told Me My Grandpa who was from Lonate Pozzolo ( She was from Chiavari and twelve years younger) had joined the Italian Army at 18 and went to Abyssinia. From that information I figured out that He must have fought at Adwa. Later while talking with My Dad and one of My Uncles the subject came up and My Dad said “ papa said They could not shoot them fast enough.” My Uncle Said “ papa told Me He barely escaped with his life”. No one knew what kind of gun He used there. He and His five sons were all crack shots , Hunters of Deer, other game and fowl. Their preferred deer rifles were Winchester model 94’s in 32 Special 30-30 , 25-35 and My Dads first was a 25-20 i always wondered what rifle the Italians used there. I think that Menelik 2 was a great leader of reciprocal trust , far and away ahead of many other’s.

[@ogilkes1]

The African Empire. A quite glorious country. Italy completely underestimated their opponents at Adowa, attacked piecemeal and got crushed. I believe that Menelik had an import agent in the city of Harrar (a real desert caravan city) whose 'contacts' permitted him to import some thousands of what I thought were Remington rolling blocks. I think this e were the principal guns used by the imperial army at Adowa. These fascinating rifles may well be post Adowa imports. As it was the battle was a close thing as Menelik could not maintain his huge force in the field indefinitely, fortunately the Italians were impatient...

[@michaelw.urbansr.8617]

Once again im back watching this video....lol Do both rifles still use 8mm Mauser or are they chambered differenctly since the one was never cut down as you mentioned? I really like the K88 and would like ot buy one some time in the near future?

[@Poopooslinger]

Italian display of skill in Ethiopia.

[@christianweibrecht6555]

While the Italian invasion was badly planned and supplied any European power would of failed. Imagine how fast the Zulus would of evicted the British and Dutch from South Africa if they had cannons, allot of rifles, and adequate training

[@lavrentivs9891]

@@christianweibrecht6555 Most european powers weren't stupid enough to try and invade a country with an army of over 200,000 well trained, supplied and motivated men with only 17,000.

[@hedgehog3180]

@@lavrentivs9891 Well the thing is that Italy didn't know this, they assumed they were gonna invade a country with a poorly equipped army and a weak government, instead they found the opposite.

[@lavrentivs9891]

@@hedgehog3180 I don't think that bad intelligence work is a good defensive argument as to why the italians made a military blunder^^

[@TheArklyte]

@@hedgehog3180 Italy ITSELF sold *tanks* to Ethiopia! Why wouldn't it expect to meet them?;)

[@dagimgirma7693]

thanks to Menelik II i am a proud free Ethiopian....“Observe that anyone who dies for his country is a fortunate man, but death takes what it wants, indiscriminately, in peace-time as well as in war. It is better to die with freedom than without it.”...i was no slave and i will not be viva menelik !!!!!!!!

[@amanet7198]

am from Ethiopia sir a lot of things like this from our history found out my country for u its just weapon from a great history of Africa for us it means a lot we can use it as a foundation for what we doing us country plz return it to us with great polite

[@zackhunt9899]

African rifles always have a cool story behind them!

[@antonioadinolfi4052]

Great, great, video. Guns and history what else. 😀😀😀

[@JohnGribbin]

It is believed, that Menelik I., the son of Solomon has founded the Ethiopian empire 980 BC, which lastet until 1974, when Emperor Haile Selassie I. got overthrown in a coup d'etat. Selassie I., also known as Ras Tafari Makonnen is praised as the messiah by the Rastafari movement in Jamaica and claims to be the 225. generation successor of King Solomon.

[@Enigmaticmuffin27]

Wild

[@ZaphodHarkonnen]

Two treaties in different languages. Very similar things happened in NZ for the Te Triti o Waitangi in NZ.

[@ZackeryDenmarie44]

Ian seems to have a misunderstanding about the Orthodoxy, the Russians were Catholics same as the Italians but they were "Russian Orthodox Catholics" while the Italians were practicing the "Roman Rite Traditions", the Ethiopians were likely practicing "Coptic Rite Catholicism"(also called "Coptic Orthodox"). They all maintain the same core teachings of the Catholic religion but they have different "Traditions of the Faith".

[@Lemlem7682]

I'm wondering how you got this gun. How is it left Ethiopian to be in the United States?

[@ima8533]

Lemlem Tafere weyane of course

[@robosoldier11]

Pretty remarkable condition considering it prob just sat in some shanty shack for all these years. I wouldn’t shoot it but defiantly looks cool.

[@lathanchurch8352]

Could you do a video on all the existing and no longer used shotgun calibers? I like designing fantasy weapons, more post apocalyptic that futuristic(scifi, space stuff) and I've been thinking about a shotgun that's a pump/automatic but it's in 7 gauge

[@ChiTownGuerrilla]

Awesome history! 👍

[@FullMetalBaldo]

Don't forget that during the italian invasion of Ethiopia (1935-1936) Hitler offered guns to *Ethiopians because he wanted his *future ally to win but not too easily!

[@ima8533]

FullMetalBaldo its really crazy when the rest of Europe ignored Ethiopia’s plea’s at the League of Nations yet the Nazi’s were the ones that offered something

[@FullMetalBaldo]

@@ima8533 never heard of this story, can you post a link? I'm curious. What did the nazi say?

[@ima8533]

FullMetalBaldo as far as I know nothing Just commenting on about how they supplied weapons to ethiopia, I just find it funny that out of all nations it was Nazi’s

[@FullMetalBaldo]

@@ima8533 oh oh i made a mistake, i'm sorry, Germany didn't help Italy at all (in this occasion)

[@ashemanall]

besides this firels the abyssinian's are patriotic and proud african nations .!!!!!! MENILIK THE PRIDE OF AFRICA.

[@eyuelyiferu264]

I am born in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. I am Amhara. Ethiopia is not in Africa. In the last part of the last millennium Italian Roman General Africanus only defeated Tunisia but it was his privilege and his right to name what he conquered he named it Africa.

[@Love_Ethiopia1]

I was looking the website to get Menelike ll weapons but not available.

[@70-7B]

EMPEROR OF RIFLE

[@victorgruud5014]

what is a T bolt?? i think browning has a rifle using a T bolt.. heard about it earlier today but haven't heard about it before i think.

[@Gordonseries385]

enjoyed it!

[@pokeysmith1]

Can you please identify the cartridge they used and show how they function?

[@nothankyou4859]

While we are on the subject of Ethiopia, does anyone know what the US Army was doing there in the 1950s? My late grandfather served in Ethiopia during that time and I've had a hard time finding info about why we were there. Most of the photographs he brought back were just of him hunting, and it seems like he spent most of his time hunting lol

[@ScottKenny1978]

Could have been assigned to the embassy, could maybe have been a training assignment (military assistance command)

[@nothankyou4859]

@@ScottKenny1978 the only thing i can specifically remember is something about radio towers

[@mattias5521]

​@@nothankyou4859 it was some kind of radio operation stations i think

[@mattias5521]

@@nothankyou4859 they bombed nagasaki and hiroshima form this place btw

[@homemedia8447]

@@nothankyou4859 history talks about the US interest in the Italian built tower base you speak of in the Eritrean part of Ethiopia, which would be used for intelligence surviellence on Mid East and Europe (and maybe beyond). Your grand dad was an american 007. The advent of the satellite diminished the radio base, and not long before the commy revolution, the US abandoned the base and withdrew support to emperor haelie sellasse.

[@randywatson8347]

Interesting story.

[@ptonpc]

When you realize the younger one is 127years old.

[@mamokilo]

I would like to buy it...is this for sale?

[@geraldford8255]

Based Ethiopians

[@ToastytheG]

I once read a letter to my grandfather by an ethiopian gentleman who was very proud to have given his right leg to an Italian bullet in the defense of the land he loved. Based people indeed. Sadly they are being exploited by islamic extremists today.

[@ima8533]

ToastytheG lol no tf we aren’t man There is ethnic tensions yea but Islamic terrorism isn’t even a concern in ethiopia

[@ToastytheG]

@@ima8533 What's going on there? The country isn't nearly as influential as it once was. And your WHO official is a chinese bootlicker.

[@ScottKenny1978]

Do want. These should be safe with modern ammo, right?

[@cheerfulpessimist952]

The Gewehr 88 is a seriously underappreciated rifle. For all intents and purposes it was a stop-gap measure but still proved to be a solid combat rifle. It wasn't the fanciest, or most rugged, or most accurate, but it worked well and reliably enough to be effective. You can still find these for reasonably cheap, especially when compared to Mauser rifles. Historical note; it should be noted the Italians still carried the old Vetterli Vitali 1870/87 rifles during the First Italo-Ethiopian War (as the new Carcano rifles did not yet see widespread usage). With that in mind it's no surprise that the Ethiopians, largely armed with far more modern weapons and outnumbering their enemy on familiar ground, absolutely stomped the Italians at Adwa.

[@franciszeklatinik889]

and I also read that at that battle, Russian Advisors were present on the Ethiopian side

[@guyfawkes938]

Oh, the Carcano 1891 was around during the Abyssinian war, but it was being used by the Ethiopians! The Italians had actually sold several to the Ethiopians prior to the war, but never properly replaced the rifles carried by their own colonial troops.

[@cheerfulpessimist952]

Well if that's not playing yourself I don't know what is xD

[@ScottKenny1978]

@@guyfawkes938 Hrm, my phone needs a facepalm emoji for that.... Epic fail.

[@kebabsvein1]

«I’m a what the huh now?» - menelik 2

[@willghormley221]

Way to go Menelik!

[@thetruthexperiment]

I really like that carbine

[@dndboy13]

_They didn't get Ethiopia_

[@dndboy13]

i kinda dig how the guy who engraved the rifle didnt bother with most of the crown's smaller details . i like to imagine dude probably had like dozens of rifles to do and lunch was in an hour and the line at Kofi's gets real long real quick

[@ToastytheG]

@@dndboy13 T.I.A. baby

[@thesturm8686]

So Ethiopia was a country to be reckon with back in the day, that's kinda new to me Italy is, well, being Italy i guess.....

[@vincem2759]

Ethiopians invaded Mecca...kind of a big deal....

[@hendrikvanleeuwen9110]

If those guns could talk.....

[@hunter5502000]

If I were to buy one of these Kar88s from Ethiopia would it be safe to shoot with modern 8mm Mauser?

[@paulkindler8430]

The G.88 are they .318 or .323 and do they still have the barrel jacket.

[@PencePressureWashing]

I love German rifles

[@stephengalindo6340]

Protectorate meaning to "protect"

[@alimanski7941]

Sometimes, it means "protection racket" rather than "protection".

[@MrGrimsmith]

Yup and usually used with as much irony as the term freedom...

[@FeintMotion]

More like "exploit"

[@stephengalindo6340]

@Karafallout 1992 What's so fascinating about that is how fiercely the Indian regiments fought for the British. Same thing with the Gurkha regiments. They fought hard and believed and what they were fighting for, even if it was misguided.

[@ToastytheG]

@@stephengalindo6340 It's because Italy tried to steal Ethiopia and were underhanded about it. The British, however naive, saw themselves as civilizing the nations they colonized, and I think history shows they were much more magnanimous than the Italians. One form of colonialism is not equivalent to another!

[@lathanchurch8352]

What books do you recommend for collectors?

[@michaelw.urbansr.8617]

BRother you just make me want to add one of these to my collection.I may even try to add both the Kar and Gewehr as well! LOLMy wife will roll her eyes and biotch a bit but she will get over it lol Love your video's and dont ever stop going off script to add in your tidbits of hitorical facts!??? I never knew there were any of Europ's countries that went to war with any of Africa's states and lost ,before WWII? The fact these rifles probably were used against Germany during WWI when the Nazi's invaded makes me want one more! Hope ican find one now? RTI is out fo stock and their not easy to find the Kar98's? Thanks brother great video!

[@JonManProductions]

Why is it I suddenly went to go watch Jack Rackam's video on that guy again?

[@F1ghteR41]

Rules of KZbin be damned anyway.

[@yahwayapps7947]

Hi, Im Ethiopian Are the rifles available for sale ? where can I get them. Thanks.

[@newayebezabeh7]

GREAT KING

[@HughesEnterprises]

Can’t wait to see these at auction at Classic Firearms for $3,000.