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1st February 2009, 05:22 AM
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#1 |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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The Black Saber
Gentlefolk, while I feel I should apologize for not posting here often,
I do like coming here to view arms and armor from different cultures and countries. For the first time I feel I have something I would like to share with you all, inviting your comments, opinions, and your observations. Please allow me to present The Black Saber, a sword made by Paolo Abrera, the webpage designed and put together by Antonio CeJunior ...  And Antonio's page ... http://www.arscives.com/bladesign/blacksaber.htm 
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1st February 2009, 05:53 AM
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#2 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
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Very well done! Can I ask you a few questions? First what material is the cross guard and knuckle guard made of? Is there any distal taper running down the spine towards the tip? Lastly what does the sword weigh minus the scabbard?
Lew |
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1st February 2009, 06:49 AM
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#3 |
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Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 385
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I only have three words to say... WOW! Nice sword. I bid (very weakly) on a Polish sword, quite similar to this one, on ebay, several years ago. Didn't even come close! M.P.
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1st February 2009, 04:58 PM
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#4 |
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Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Czech Republic
Posts: 841
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Maybe Dniester Cossack sabre ? Superb piece.
Regards, Martin |
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1st February 2009, 09:58 PM
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#5 | |
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Arms Historian
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Route 66
Posts: 9,957
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Quote:
Hi Matthew, I'm glad you visit us often, and it is nice to see your post. While I am not particularly inclined toward modern reproductions of weapons, I cannot resist saying this is an absolutely breathtaking piece of work ! It is obvious that Mr. Abrera does meticulous research on the weapons he produces, as from what I can see the detail here is remarkable. Since our primary objective here is the study and identification of authentic antique weapons, it would really be interesting to know more on the history of the sword (s) this piece was based on, and how they received the sobriquet 'black sabres'. Mr. CeJuniors web page is also beautifully done, and overall between that and the weapon itself extremely appealing....true artwork ! All best regards, Jim |
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1st February 2009, 10:49 PM
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#6 | |
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Member
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Ann Arbor, MI
Posts: 5,503
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Quote:
The saber is a curious mix of Turkish Pala blade, Hungarian/Polish early variant of a handguard and Polish thumb ring. Looks powerful and vicious, but..... I am with Jim: no interest in modern recreations. |
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2nd February 2009, 07:34 PM
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#7 |
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(deceased)
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: OKLAHOMA, USA
Posts: 3,138
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BEAUTIFUL WORKMANSHIP !! IT ALSO LOOKS LIKE IT WOULD BE AN EFFECTIVE WEAPON.
WHILE I DO NOT PERSONALLY COLLECT THE NEWER CREATIONS EITHER, I DO APPRECIATE AND ENJOY SEEING THEM. THE REASON BEING THE HISTORY AND TRIBAL SOCIETYS PLAY A VERY BIG PART IN MY INTREST IN COLLECTING WHAT I DO. I AM GLAD THAT THERE ARE STILL THOSE WHO HAVE THE SKILL AND DESIRE TO CREATE WEAPONS THAT HAVE THE ACTUAL BALANCE, TEMPER AND STRENGTHS NECESSARY FOR BATTLE IF NEED BE. I AM ALSO GLAD THERE ARE THOSE WHO COLLECT IN THIS FIELD SO THESE ARTISTS CAN STAY AT THE FORGE AND GAIN THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO CREATE THESE MODERN MASTERPIECES. I SUSPECT SOME OF THE VERY BEST SWORDS EVER MADE MAY BE THOSE MADE WITHIN MY LIFETIME. THE REASON FOR THIS MAY BE THE MODERN RESOURCES AVAILABLE NOW AS WELL AS ALL THE KNOWLEGE THAT WAS GAINED IN THE PAST AND HAS BEEN PASSED DOWN. IN THE PAST ALL TECKNIQUE WOULD HAVE BEEN KEPT SECRET SO ONE SHOP MIGHT BE VERY GOOD AT ONE THING BUT LACKING IN OTHERS. KNOWLEGE IS SHARED MORE NOW AND OLDER SECRET TECKNIQUES ARE OFTEN AVAILABLE KNOWLEGE TODAY. TODAYS SMITHS STILL DO SEARCH FOR SOME OF THE LOST TECKNIQUES TODAY BUT OFTEN MAKE UP THEIR OWN NEW TECKNIQUES AS A RESULT. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK 
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2nd February 2009, 08:53 PM
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#8 |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: The Netherlands
Posts: 2,225
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Very nice sword.
Amazingly strong, vicious but also elegant appearance. And of course, nice to see that there are still people around that are willing and able to create such beautifull weapons with their own hands. I assume that part of the fascination for old weapons may also be the fascination for the craftmanship. I know it is part of mine. Wonderfull to read that the curvature was formed by forging the edge. |
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2nd February 2009, 09:10 PM
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#9 |
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Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,293
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Matthew, is that the sabre you have always dreamed of owning ?
 Great !! |
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2nd February 2009, 09:16 PM
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#10 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
The material of the cross-guard / knuckle guard is iron. Paolo's description of creating the patina on the hilt and fittings : " The patina on the "weathered" fittings are a simple finish often used by blacksmiths on forged pieces. The pieces are simply blackened by oxidizing them in the forge then while hot, allowing linseed oil to burn on the surface then rub it back with some fine abrasives when cool. Some creative wear and tear treatments are necessary of course to take the "new" off the nice shiny fittings... " The spine does tape from 5/8s of an inch to 3/8s of an inch. And I can only estimate the weight of the saber minus the scabbard, Lew, at a robust and healthy 3 pounds. |
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2nd February 2009, 09:21 PM
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#11 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
Hi, MP, The Black Saber is the conclusion of a 4-year quest to either find a historical piece; and it would have had to strike me as a sword I could not do without, if you follow me. OR commission a smith to make the blade. I will explain, a bit later on I think, how I lucked into Paolo's project. |
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2nd February 2009, 09:48 PM
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#12 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
done more looking and reading as opposed to posting is that I am neither historian nor collector of authentic antique weapons. But there should be no question that The Black Saber is a product of researching -- as best I could, and I think as best Paolo could --a very unique sword with what I personally believe the legendary status similar to, for instance, the Japanese sword. I know there will be many who disagree, and my very early interest in swords began with looking at Japanese blades. But let me state once again, I am no expert. It seems different cultures and societies have and often still do embrace a particular sword in a particular way. The Polish War Saber I wanted to embrace, however, would not in my mind be the heavily decorated sword one might see in a museum or collection. On the contrary, even though it would be -- again, in my mind -- of museum-quality, it would be the sword of a common soldier; less delicate and maybe less agile, but certainly powerful in character and personality. My early interest in the Polish Hussar Saber was actually spurred on by a reproduction found in another forum. From that point I began looking for more information and photographs, and came to this :  Maybe some of you are much more familiar with W. Zablocki's legendary book than I, but I began finding some of the drawings online, as well as a few discussions. One drawing that Paolo used to inspire the blade ...  When we chose to name the project The Black Saber it was after an email back-n-forth. Paolo brought up the term, and it quickly reminded me of something I had read elsewhere. I wish I had more information as to the nickname, but from what I gather it came to be as a result of the black color scheme of the leather, fittings, hilt, and grip of the entire package. So Paolo and I agreed it would have blackened details, and a black leather covered grip and scabbard. I can tell you, as I sit here typing, when I look over to where the saber sits sheathed on its stand, there seems to be a " black aura " if you will, embracing the sword. |
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2nd February 2009, 09:53 PM
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#13 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
for delivering a saber that bespoke more than just a single time period, but kinda' embraced the legendary sword's evolution. A picture of my own ... B-) 
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3rd February 2009, 07:23 AM
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#14 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
yes ! The Black Saber is most definitely the sword I have been hunting down for years now. It is without a doubt the crown jewel in my small collection. Thankyou ! And to Asomostif, Vandoo, Martin, and Trench ... Thankyou for your comments. I suspect Paolo is probably looking in and am sure he is enjoying the discourse, as I know I am ... |
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3rd February 2009, 05:12 PM
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#15 | |
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Vikingsword Staff
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,293
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Quote:
 How could I forget such passion .
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9th February 2009, 05:34 PM
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#16 |
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Member
Join Date: Nov 2008
Posts: 332
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The entire hilt including the thumb ring is very close to a Polish hilt of the 17th century.
Fitting Turkish blades into Polish & Magyar sabers was not uncommon; similar blades of European manufacture do also exist. |
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11th February 2009, 06:07 PM
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#17 | |
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 9
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Quote:
You've hit on something I've read as well. At the back of my brain pan in all of this has been a growing interest in which direction the evolution of the saber came from. Is it commonly held that the blade-styles evolved from the east westward ? Here's another drawing -- I believe of a sword that existed or does exist -- that looks quaintly familiar; messaged to me AFTER The Black Saber was made and shipped to me ... 
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