Karabela european?

awdaniec666 · 10th January 2025, 04:16 PM

I do not know about those markings but I can offer you my opinion on that sword.

The certainly old blade looks odd, I would rule out a classical Central European origin. I would re-evaluate a Persian origin.

The crossguard looks original at first glance. Similar can be found on 17th century Polish and Ottoman Karabelas alike.

The grip, while looking old, is not a typical Karabela hilt.
The star formed brass plates at the peens are not original, those edges would have caused wounds on the wielders hands. It may seem like not a problem when holding the sword calmly, but even the slightest edges irritate the skin after few minutes of movement - think about this like a stone in your shoe while walking.
In theory it is imaginable that the wood plates themselves are the product of someone in the 17/18th century who was barely familiar with Karabela hilts. But itÂ´s very far from the known types. I say this as someone who opposes discarding artifacts solely by style.

In my opinion this likely a put together sword with an old blade and crossguard with a new (amateur made) grip.
Unlikely, but thinkable, itÂ´s a very odd original sabre with useless later restored peens.
Termnologically I wouldnÂ´t call it a Karabela although it certainly approaches that design.

10th January 2025, 04:16 PM	#2
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Central Europe Posts: 177	I do not know about those markings but I can offer you my opinion on that sword. The certainly old blade looks odd, I would rule out a classical Central European origin. I would re-evaluate a Persian origin. The crossguard looks original at first glance. Similar can be found on 17th century Polish and Ottoman Karabelas alike. The grip, while looking old, is not a typical Karabela hilt. The star formed brass plates at the peens are not original, those edges would have caused wounds on the wielders hands. It may seem like not a problem when holding the sword calmly, but even the slightest edges irritate the skin after few minutes of movement - think about this like a stone in your shoe while walking. In theory it is imaginable that the wood plates themselves are the product of someone in the 17/18th century who was barely familiar with Karabela hilts. But itÂ´s very far from the known types. I say this as someone who opposes discarding artifacts solely by style. In my opinion this likely a put together sword with an old blade and crossguard with a new (amateur made) grip. Unlikely, but thinkable, itÂ´s a very odd original sabre with useless later restored peens. Termnologically I wouldnÂ´t call it a Karabela although it certainly approaches that design.