Could anybody more closely allocate this Hussar sword ?

Martin Lubojacky · 6th April 2010, 11:48 AM

Hello,
I wonder if anybody could classify the saber. Is it Austro - Hungarian ? Many thanks, Martin

Jim McDougall · 7th April 2010, 12:59 AM

Hi Martin,
This is a great sabre and of extremely desirable form which appears to be Austrian from about mid to third quarter 18th century. This 'rayed' motif was very popular in these times in the motif on sabres in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and similiar is still seen used on Hungarian infantry officers sabres M1811 (type II). This is shown in Eduard Wagner's "Cut & Thrust Weapons" (p.414, plate 44).
The rectangular ear and langet crosspiece is of the style seen on Austrian cavalry sabres and the straight outward quillon terminal also is characteristic.
There is a rather difficult to locate reference on Austrian weapons, the author is Dolleczek and is often cited in Wagner. I have seen pages of this reference and though it has been some time, it seems the line drawings reflected these heavy, chopping blades of this form. It is believed that these heavy 'hatchet tip' type blades were one of the primary prototypes for the M1796 British light cavalry sabres.

Austrian cavalry weapons of this period are highly sought after, with this being one of the driving forces, with the M1769 pallasche also influencing the British M1796 heavy cavalry sword.

It seems I have seen other sabres with this rayed scabbard mount motif with hilt elements en suite on sabres identified either as Austrian or Hungarian of this period. It is difficult to draw a line as they are so similar.

All best regards,
Jim

Martin Lubojacky · 7th April 2010, 09:52 AM

Hi Jim,

Thank you very much for analysis. I will try to find the book by Konopsky and Moudry for you, when I am in the Czech Republic this summer.
(Your mention of M1769 pallasch reminds me of a holidays several years ago, when I was trawelling with family around Northern Moravia. It happened that time, that I was on the right place on right time, but without money. In one small antique shop I saw this pallasch in a very good condition and complete with original scabbard - they were asking the price only around 500 USD, but it was rather spare time for us and I could not afford to buy it. From that time I have never seen so nice piece and if yes - without sheath and five times more expensive. I regret this until now.)
Best regards,
Martin

Jim McDougall · 7th April 2010, 08:31 PM

Hi Martin,
Thank you so much for the very kind offer! and Im glad I could give some help with this, again my congratulations on a superb hussar sabre!!!

Auughh! To hear of such a deal on one of these M1769 pallasches is incredible. I remember trying to find one during research on the British M1796 disc hilt heavy cavalry swords about 15 years ago, and almost had one. Even then the prices were incredible, over a thousand dollars. I dont think Ive ever seen more than several over the years available, and I would imagine much more so in less travelled sources in Europe.

It is good to see this sabre find a home with someone with such close ties to its original ancestry. Very well done

All the best,
Jim

Richard · 9th April 2010, 09:00 PM

Here's one:

Ian Knight · 11th April 2010, 05:01 PM

Lovely sabre Martin. Has the blade been shortened?
Ian

Jim McDougall · 11th April 2010, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard

Here's one:

Wow!!!! Now thats what Im talkin about Richard!!! Absolutely beautiful

Thank you so much for sharing that here,
All the best,
Jim

6th April 2010, 11:48 AM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Could anybody more closely allocate this Hussar sword ? Hello, I wonder if anybody could classify the saber. Is it Austro - Hungarian ? Many thanks, Martin Attached Images

9th April 2010, 09:00 PM	#5
Richard Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Aquae Sulis, UK Posts: 46	Here's one: Attached Images

11th April 2010, 05:01 PM	#6
Ian Knight Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: East Sussex, England. Posts: 103	Lovely sabre Martin. Has the blade been shortened? Ian Last edited by Ian Knight; 11th April 2010 at 06:44 PM. Reason: spelling mistake

7th April 2010, 12:59 AM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Hi Martin, This is a great sabre and of extremely desirable form which appears to be Austrian from about mid to third quarter 18th century. This 'rayed' motif was very popular in these times in the motif on sabres in the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and similiar is still seen used on Hungarian infantry officers sabres M1811 (type II). This is shown in Eduard Wagner's "Cut & Thrust Weapons" (p.414, plate 44). The rectangular ear and langet crosspiece is of the style seen on Austrian cavalry sabres and the straight outward quillon terminal also is characteristic. There is a rather difficult to locate reference on Austrian weapons, the author is Dolleczek and is often cited in Wagner. I have seen pages of this reference and though it has been some time, it seems the line drawings reflected these heavy, chopping blades of this form. It is believed that these heavy 'hatchet tip' type blades were one of the primary prototypes for the M1796 British light cavalry sabres. Austrian cavalry weapons of this period are highly sought after, with this being one of the driving forces, with the M1769 pallasche also influencing the British M1796 heavy cavalry sword. It seems I have seen other sabres with this rayed scabbard mount motif with hilt elements en suite on sabres identified either as Austrian or Hungarian of this period. It is difficult to draw a line as they are so similar. All best regards, Jim

7th April 2010, 09:52 AM	#3
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Hi Jim, Thank you very much for analysis. I will try to find the book by Konopsky and Moudry for you, when I am in the Czech Republic this summer. (Your mention of M1769 pallasch reminds me of a holidays several years ago, when I was trawelling with family around Northern Moravia. It happened that time, that I was on the right place on right time, but without money. In one small antique shop I saw this pallasch in a very good condition and complete with original scabbard - they were asking the price only around 500 USD, but it was rather spare time for us and I could not afford to buy it. From that time I have never seen so nice piece and if yes - without sheath and five times more expensive. I regret this until now.) Best regards, Martin

7th April 2010, 08:31 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,940	Hi Martin, Thank you so much for the very kind offer! and Im glad I could give some help with this, again my congratulations on a superb hussar sabre!!! Auughh! To hear of such a deal on one of these M1769 pallasches is incredible. I remember trying to find one during research on the British M1796 disc hilt heavy cavalry swords about 15 years ago, and almost had one. Even then the prices were incredible, over a thousand dollars. I dont think Ive ever seen more than several over the years available, and I would imagine much more so in less travelled sources in Europe. It is good to see this sabre find a home with someone with such close ties to its original ancestry. Very well done All the best, Jim