Hussar Blade?

Skarts_ss · 9th February 2012, 08:39 PM

Hi all,
iam a new member in this forum and i would apreciate your help...
recently i found this sword in an old hause in Crete
The blade seems to be a European blade but the handle is ottoman
i think that this was originally a Hussar blade and latter the handle was remounted...am i right?
Thanks for your help!!!

fernando · 9th February 2012, 09:55 PM

Welcome to the forum, Skarts.
Interesting sword you got there.
Let us see what the members say about it.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 10th February 2012, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skarts_ss

Hi all,
iam a new member in this forum and i would apreciate your help...
recently i found this sword in an old hause in Crete
The blade seems to be a European blade but the handle is ottoman
i think that this was originally a Hussar blade and latter the handle was remounted...am i right?
Thanks for your help!!!

Salaams Skarts ~ Welcome ! Go onto Forum Search by simply typing in Hussars Swords for a full definition of all things Hussar...(Article: Notes on development of modern sabers - Role of Eastern Europe & the Hussars)

I reckon this is as you suspect a Turkish Ottoman sword with a degraded hilt missing its crossguard. It could be horn possibly Rhino as it looks fibrous.. Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Atlantia · 10th February 2012, 08:50 PM

Hi Skarts_ss

Interesting sword. Blade reminds me of this shamshir.
One for the Ethno forum I'd say.
There could be something interesting under the rust.

Best
Gene

Matchlock · 11th February 2012, 05:15 PM

My experienced edged-weapons collector says: Turkey, 19th c.

Best,
Michael

Jim McDougall · 12th February 2012, 04:21 AM

Welcome Skarts!
All suggestions thus far are well placed, but I would submit that given the context in which this was found, chances are more likely this is indeed an Ottoman sabre rather than European. While European horseman sabres did largely follow Turkish blade forms, and of course in many cases other hilt features, it seems more likely given the region this was found more likely to be Ottoman.
Crete, like Greece, was under Turkish dominion and there were many rebellions against this rule in the 18th century. After 1832 Egypt, also Ottoman ruled took over in Crete. During these long occupations it does not seem unreasonable that these Ottoman swords would be present there.
Excellent comparison by Gene on the shamshir blade which has similar cross section, and the attribution to India which also saw use of these type blades in degree via trade and diplomatic situations with the Ottomans in the 19th c.

All best regards,
Jim

eftihis · 12th February 2012, 07:51 AM

Hi, to me it looks like an original French hussar blade that was re-used as an ottoman sword.
I think that after the NApoleonic wars there has been a surplus of weapons, (or a trade of remaining blades and parts). This could have been bought in France (or Russsia as a spoil of war), maybe together with other surplus in large quantities, exported to same parts of Ottoman teritory and re-fited according to the local fashion, and then travelled up to Crete.

Multumesc · 17th February 2012, 11:12 AM

Were used in Romania swords like this, especially when the Turks came to invade.

9th February 2012, 08:39 PM	#1
Skarts_ss Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 47	Hussar Blade? Hi all, iam a new member in this forum and i would apreciate your help... recently i found this sword in an old hause in Crete The blade seems to be a European blade but the handle is ottoman i think that this was originally a Hussar blade and latter the handle was remounted...am i right? Thanks for your help!!! Attached Images

11th February 2012, 05:15 PM	#5
Matchlock (deceased) Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bavaria, Germany - the center of 15th and 16th century gunmaking Posts: 4,310	My experienced edged-weapons collector says: Turkey, 19th c. Best, Michael Last edited by Matchlock; 12th February 2012 at 10:35 AM.

17th February 2012, 11:12 AM	#8
Multumesc Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Romania Posts: 202	Hussar Blade? Were used in Romania swords like this, especially when the Turks came to invade.

9th February 2012, 09:55 PM	#2
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,666	Welcome to the forum, Skarts. Interesting sword you got there. Let us see what the members say about it.

10th February 2012, 08:50 PM	#4
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Skarts_ss Interesting sword. Blade reminds me of this shamshir. One for the Ethno forum I'd say. There could be something interesting under the rust. Best Gene

12th February 2012, 04:21 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,801	Welcome Skarts! All suggestions thus far are well placed, but I would submit that given the context in which this was found, chances are more likely this is indeed an Ottoman sabre rather than European. While European horseman sabres did largely follow Turkish blade forms, and of course in many cases other hilt features, it seems more likely given the region this was found more likely to be Ottoman. Crete, like Greece, was under Turkish dominion and there were many rebellions against this rule in the 18th century. After 1832 Egypt, also Ottoman ruled took over in Crete. During these long occupations it does not seem unreasonable that these Ottoman swords would be present there. Excellent comparison by Gene on the shamshir blade which has similar cross section, and the attribution to India which also saw use of these type blades in degree via trade and diplomatic situations with the Ottomans in the 19th c. All best regards, Jim

12th February 2012, 07:51 AM	#7
eftihis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Chania Crete Greece Posts: 501	Hi, to me it looks like an original French hussar blade that was re-used as an ottoman sword. I think that after the NApoleonic wars there has been a surplus of weapons, (or a trade of remaining blades and parts). This could have been bought in France (or Russsia as a spoil of war), maybe together with other surplus in large quantities, exported to same parts of Ottoman teritory and re-fited according to the local fashion, and then travelled up to Crete.