Polish sabre?

grendolino · 8th January 2017, 11:24 PM

This item showed in the catalogue of one of european auction houses and was there named the Russian sabre, clearly upon the inscription on its back.
However it is of the sabre known as hungaro-polish type taken into Poland in the 16th century from Hungary to Poland during Stephan Bathory's reign and quite popular there well into 17th century and not popular in Russia at all.
But what is more obvious - both inscriptions are in Latin not Cyryllic script.
My hypothesis is the sabre commemorates the treaty of Andruszow ending Russo-Polish war in the very year 1667.
Nota bene the fact that "Moskwa" or latinised "Moscva" was in Poland name for whole Russian country not only its capitol.

Oliver Pinchot · 11th January 2017, 05:21 PM

These sabers are characteristically Hungarian and Polish but were also popular, if not prevalent, in Russia. The hilt treatment is appealing and unusual, and the inscription and date may well refer to the treaty of Andruszow.
Nice find!

Ian · 11th January 2017, 06:25 PM

Hi grendolino:

This one belongs more properly in the European Arms Forum, where you are likely to get more replies. I am transferring it over there.

Ian

Jim McDougall · 11th January 2017, 10:25 PM

I very much agree, this is an outstanding example of these very well known sabres most associated with the storied "Wings Hussars of Poland". As Oliver notes, these swords were typically Hungarian as well as Polish, however they were of course equally diffused into many contiguous regions including those considered Russian.
The term Russia was not commonly applied to refer to any particular of these regions as a 'state' until the 17th century.
It was also a common convention to refer regionally to such areas by the name or term for a defined large or important city , Q.E.D. so Moscva would have referred broadly to Russian regions.

The latten filled inscription on the blade back and the mark with initials suggest plausibly Solingen as its place of manufacture as this was well instituted in the character of, though not entirely confined to their blades.
The mark of the unicorn was used by both Johann Henckels (c.1600) and Clemens Horn (1586-1631) but these were typically heads only. The full body may signify use alluding to the quality of those blades and used by another in later date in accord with the inscription.
The use of Latin in inscriptions was common in those times as it was the lingua francia and transcended linguistic barriers.

It would seem that 'commemorative' dates were often applied to blades in these areas, and that this date applies to this significant treaty suggests obviously the diplomatic potential for this sword.

8th January 2017, 11:24 PM	#1
grendolino Member Join Date: Sep 2015 Posts: 38	Polish sabre? This item showed in the catalogue of one of european auction houses and was there named the Russian sabre, clearly upon the inscription on its back. However it is of the sabre known as hungaro-polish type taken into Poland in the 16th century from Hungary to Poland during Stephan Bathory's reign and quite popular there well into 17th century and not popular in Russia at all. But what is more obvious - both inscriptions are in Latin not Cyryllic script. My hypothesis is the sabre commemorates the treaty of Andruszow ending Russo-Polish war in the very year 1667. Nota bene the fact that "Moskwa" or latinised "Moscva" was in Poland name for whole Russian country not only its capitol. Attached Images

11th January 2017, 05:21 PM	#2
Oliver Pinchot Member Join Date: Sep 2012 Posts: 457	These sabers are characteristically Hungarian and Polish but were also popular, if not prevalent, in Russia. The hilt treatment is appealing and unusual, and the inscription and date may well refer to the treaty of Andruszow. Nice find!

11th January 2017, 06:25 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Hi grendolino: This one belongs more properly in the European Arms Forum, where you are likely to get more replies. I am transferring it over there. Ian

11th January 2017, 10:25 PM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	I very much agree, this is an outstanding example of these very well known sabres most associated with the storied "Wings Hussars of Poland". As Oliver notes, these swords were typically Hungarian as well as Polish, however they were of course equally diffused into many contiguous regions including those considered Russian. The term Russia was not commonly applied to refer to any particular of these regions as a 'state' until the 17th century. It was also a common convention to refer regionally to such areas by the name or term for a defined large or important city , Q.E.D. so Moscva would have referred broadly to Russian regions. The latten filled inscription on the blade back and the mark with initials suggest plausibly Solingen as its place of manufacture as this was well instituted in the character of, though not entirely confined to their blades. The mark of the unicorn was used by both Johann Henckels (c.1600) and Clemens Horn (1586-1631) but these were typically heads only. The full body may signify use alluding to the quality of those blades and used by another in later date in accord with the inscription. The use of Latin in inscriptions was common in those times as it was the lingua francia and transcended linguistic barriers. It would seem that 'commemorative' dates were often applied to blades in these areas, and that this date applies to this significant treaty suggests obviously the diplomatic potential for this sword.