Beautiful sword

canos · 8th June 2019, 10:30 AM

it's a Polish sabre, called Karabela.

canos · 8th June 2019, 10:31 AM

About 17th century

Jim McDougall · 8th June 2019, 07:41 PM

This sword is indeed very attractive, and a rendition of the traditional Ottoman, East European style known as the 'karabela' (hilt form with of course varying blades).
The origins of this style hilt (regarded as a highly stylized 'eaglehead') remain debated, as seen in discussions here over many years, but some of the most useful and well researched material I have found in them has come from Ariel, Teodor (TVV) and Jeff D. In using the search feature here I was able to find much valuable material using term 'karabela'.

To offer an overview, there are contentions that the style existed long before the suggestions that Shah Abbas' reconquest of Karbala (Iraq/Mesopotamia) in 1623, thus dispelling the notion that his seeing them there inspired the hilt form allegedly encountered there. That the form existed in Ottoman sphere is supported by an example marked with the tughra of Sultan Ahmed I (r 1603-17).

Apparently the karabela hilt became popular in Poland after the Siege of Vienna(1683) after which it became regarded as the 'national sword of Poland', and typically seen as a 'parade sabre'. These however are of course known incidentally as having been used in battle.

The example seen here is of course in traditional style, as noted in the form known as early as early 16th c. but popularized in latter 17th c.
These karabela hilted sabres were well known in Poland in the 18th c. and the chevron inscribed grips and Ottoman style crossguard are characteristic.

This one has a blade which approximates that of a kilij and quite possibly of Styrian production, as many East European sabre blades of this period are.
In "Origins of the Polish Sabre" (1979, Ostrowski & Bochnak) it is noted that Hungarian blade production, if there was any such thing, was extremely limited. Many Polish blades may have come from Lvov.

I would consider this may be late 18th century, but carried out in traditional form. As always, very hard to determine from photos. One must always beware that modern copies or assemblies do exist and carefully evaluate. I have seen 'karabelas' with modern mountings using old blades.

The images below are Ottoman karabelas, the one with dark background was apparently from the siege of Vienna 1683.

The artwork is by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) where a karabela hilt can be clearly seen .
The next is a Russian reference with a karabela.

kronckew · 8th June 2019, 08:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Apparently the karabela hilt became popular in Poland after the Siege of Vienna(1683) after which it became regarded as the 'national sword of Poland', and typically seen as a 'parade sabre'. These however are of course known incidentally as having been used in battle.
...

After the charge of the Polish Winged Hussars, there were a lot of ones lying about as their previous owners didn't need them any more. parading them as battle trophys is logical. Lots of yats became instant war surplus too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jibk6hvhlG0

Jim McDougall · 8th June 2019, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

After the charge of the Polish Winged Hussars, therer were a lot of ones lying about as their previous owners didn't need them any more. parading them as battle trophys is logical. Lots of yats became instant war surplus too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jibk6hvhlG0

Much the same as the 'mameluke' case with the Ottoman 'pistol grip' sabres used by the Mamluks in Egypt during the Napoleonic campaigns. Both British and French military officers were deeply impressed with them and took to having their own sabres designed after them. At the same time the design became favored by American officers where it became the official hilt design for the USMC officers sabre.

Honorific adoption of the weapon forms of a formidable enemy is not uncommon.

kronckew · 8th June 2019, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

...

Honorific adoption of the weapon forms of a formidable enemy is not uncommon.

Especially when the weapon is better looking than the one you have been given. Sadly the US Army preferred the french 'Phrygian hat' pommel for their own sabres, which I think is ugly. Much prefer the clean lines of the british,the Hussars (and German variants) and poles and Ottoman versions. The US Marine ifficer sword looks like a slightly anorexic version of the British general officers version of the French Mamaluke sabre of the senior officers, based on the Egyptian campaign experiences...or the later 'gladius' forms that replaced the D-guard Briquets where looking cool overshadowed function in times where they were already an anachronism rarely if ever used as a weapon.

Multumesc · 9th June 2019, 02:16 PM

However, Latin letters appear on the blade. How does it translate?

8th June 2019, 10:30 AM	#1
canos Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 28	Karabela it's a Polish sabre, called Karabela.

8th June 2019, 10:31 AM	#2
canos Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 28	Karabea About 17th century

8th June 2019, 07:41 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	This sword is indeed very attractive, and a rendition of the traditional Ottoman, East European style known as the 'karabela' (hilt form with of course varying blades). The origins of this style hilt (regarded as a highly stylized 'eaglehead') remain debated, as seen in discussions here over many years, but some of the most useful and well researched material I have found in them has come from Ariel, Teodor (TVV) and Jeff D. In using the search feature here I was able to find much valuable material using term 'karabela'. To offer an overview, there are contentions that the style existed long before the suggestions that Shah Abbas' reconquest of Karbala (Iraq/Mesopotamia) in 1623, thus dispelling the notion that his seeing them there inspired the hilt form allegedly encountered there. That the form existed in Ottoman sphere is supported by an example marked with the tughra of Sultan Ahmed I (r 1603-17). Apparently the karabela hilt became popular in Poland after the Siege of Vienna(1683) after which it became regarded as the 'national sword of Poland', and typically seen as a 'parade sabre'. These however are of course known incidentally as having been used in battle. The example seen here is of course in traditional style, as noted in the form known as early as early 16th c. but popularized in latter 17th c. These karabela hilted sabres were well known in Poland in the 18th c. and the chevron inscribed grips and Ottoman style crossguard are characteristic. This one has a blade which approximates that of a kilij and quite possibly of Styrian production, as many East European sabre blades of this period are. In "Origins of the Polish Sabre" (1979, Ostrowski & Bochnak) it is noted that Hungarian blade production, if there was any such thing, was extremely limited. Many Polish blades may have come from Lvov. I would consider this may be late 18th century, but carried out in traditional form. As always, very hard to determine from photos. One must always beware that modern copies or assemblies do exist and carefully evaluate. I have seen 'karabelas' with modern mountings using old blades. The images below are Ottoman karabelas, the one with dark background was apparently from the siege of Vienna 1683. The artwork is by Albrecht Durer (1471-1528) where a karabela hilt can be clearly seen . The next is a Russian reference with a karabela. Attached Images

9th June 2019, 02:16 PM	#7
Multumesc Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 204	Beautiful sword However, Latin letters appear on the blade. How does it translate?