Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Jim McDougall · 29th October 2016, 07:20 PM

I really need to be more careful in use of the term modern referring to weapon descriptions. For me that means anything in latter 19th well into 20th c.
The use of wood, and well crafted into essentially a 'karabela' style hilt is I keeping with the popularity of these type hilts in hunting swords as well as parade or dress swords. The style itself is believed to have originated in Ottoman regions, but became so popular in Poland that it became regarded as an iconic sword there as a parade level sword (though certainly used in combat also).
The style quickly transmitted into other European regions as well, in many cases likely through Ottoman influence.

It was extremely common for European swords to follow 'exotic' style, with it seems most cases leaning toward the omnipresent Ottoman influences long established much earlier and in colonial regions of other countries.
A good example is the mameluke hilts of campaigns in Egypt, which became fashionable on officers swords.

In my opinion, this blade is likely of Napoleonic period (early 19th to first quarter), as the blued panel suggests to me, as well as the styling of the scabbard and mounts. The blade shape in the tip recalls Solingen made blades of that period.

Clearly what appears to be flourished arms which is now under the collar of the hilt, shows of course the blade has been remounted. I am not sure that the AK is necessarily the initials of a maker, however there was an entry for an A and F Kirschbaum of Solingen 1814-62 (this suggests two individuals). It is noted they made sabres for Austrian hussar regiments.

Without further checking into references at this point, that would fit well into some of the ideas here. Austria was heavily influenced by Ottoman styles through its use of Balkan troops in the 18th century, and perhaps such a sabre might have been refitted in much later times as a heirloom. This might have been in recognition of the famed Pandour units of those times which became well known as auxiliary regiments through the 19th c.

Corrado, I am very interested in your comment on the flourish on the back of the blade you note as the rose of Solingen, can you elaborate more?

29th October 2016, 07:20 PM	#11
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,191	I really need to be more careful in use of the term modern referring to weapon descriptions. For me that means anything in latter 19th well into 20th c. The use of wood, and well crafted into essentially a 'karabela' style hilt is I keeping with the popularity of these type hilts in hunting swords as well as parade or dress swords. The style itself is believed to have originated in Ottoman regions, but became so popular in Poland that it became regarded as an iconic sword there as a parade level sword (though certainly used in combat also). The style quickly transmitted into other European regions as well, in many cases likely through Ottoman influence. It was extremely common for European swords to follow 'exotic' style, with it seems most cases leaning toward the omnipresent Ottoman influences long established much earlier and in colonial regions of other countries. A good example is the mameluke hilts of campaigns in Egypt, which became fashionable on officers swords. In my opinion, this blade is likely of Napoleonic period (early 19th to first quarter), as the blued panel suggests to me, as well as the styling of the scabbard and mounts. The blade shape in the tip recalls Solingen made blades of that period. Clearly what appears to be flourished arms which is now under the collar of the hilt, shows of course the blade has been remounted. I am not sure that the AK is necessarily the initials of a maker, however there was an entry for an A and F Kirschbaum of Solingen 1814-62 (this suggests two individuals). It is noted they made sabres for Austrian hussar regiments. Without further checking into references at this point, that would fit well into some of the ideas here. Austria was heavily influenced by Ottoman styles through its use of Balkan troops in the 18th century, and perhaps such a sabre might have been refitted in much later times as a heirloom. This might have been in recognition of the famed Pandour units of those times which became well known as auxiliary regiments through the 19th c. Corrado, I am very interested in your comment on the flourish on the back of the blade you note as the rose of Solingen, can you elaborate more?