As noted earlier, while I have been skeptical of this saber, probably as from many years experience the majority of these Eastern European sabers occurring outside museums have been modern replicas. While most are pretty embellished, there are some artificially aged, and these are intended to deceive. This example seems to follow known form (with exception of the terrible markings), so I have been trying to find material on these from years ago...I do recall the discussions, as well as talking with Iaroslav Lebedynsky, the prolific French-Ukrainian author on arms, and discussions about this type of saber.
Apparently these are noted as having been used in degree at the Battle of Beretschko in Ukraine in 1651, where forces of the Cossack Helmenate and Crimean Khanate fought against the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth.
I was told this unique style of saber with L guard hilt is actually relatively rare. In "Cieca Prawdziwa Szabla" by Wojciech Zablonski he classifies this form as 'polzam kniety' (semi closed hilt).
The battlefield was excavated in the 1970s and discussed in "Muzealnictwo Wojskowe" (Tome 5, 1992)by Igor Svieschnokov, in his article, "Battle of Beretschko in 1651 in light of Historical and Archaeological Sources".
There were a total of 41 sabers found, but only 3 were of this type. This is remarkable considering the many thousands of combatants, but of course scavengers over years certainly took the rest.
There is another article "Analysis and Classification of Sabers Found Near Beretschko" by Stanislaw Pogorzelski.
I am just adding these for future reference but have not accessed them.
The question asked here is whether this saber is real or not, which is a fair question. I am not sure how accurate such an analysis can be made from photos alone, and pictures can be misleading in the character of the metal and elements with flash and lighting.
If indeed this has been examined by a museum expert, it would be valued to know the individuals name and credentials. I am no expert but I will stand behind what I determine and say, and expect to make errors and learn from correction.
The images from a discussion in 2011 on what appears excavated or relic condition example of one of these actually found in Ukraine. The other image is one intact which seems slightly different but perhaps Hungarian?
Note on the exacavated example the cross pattee on guard and the curious cartouche in the blade forte. The cross was a popular Polish device, and the blade cartouche could be perhaps a tamga, a Tatar device but that seems unlikely.
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