Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

wolviex · 14th May 2005, 07:50 AM

Nice find!!!

And unfortunately, as it used to be with objects like this one, it is very hard and sometimes impossible to tell where it comes from, because its origin is in territories of many different and merging influences.

It is 17th century karabela indeed. It could be Turkish because this is the country where in 17th century karabelas where mostly in use. This one is with European blade, not much curved (half of the 17th cent?) with two fullers and what is more important, with sun, stars and moon engravings, very simple and characteristic for European blades. And this is OK, while European blades were very often in use for Turkish karabelas. But this was also the time when such sabres became very popular in Poland, and in 18th century karabelas has become “national” Polish weapon of noblemen. Handle of this sabre is quite unusual because of metal band which also covers part of the cross guard. I saw something similar, also some kind of reinforcement, and I saw it in Polish sabre. This sabre was with some Hungarian influences.

Without conclusion, but with suggestion on Turkey or Poland. Anyway 700$ for such sabre is in my opinion quite good purchase.

14th May 2005, 07:50 AM	#3
wolviex Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Poland, Krakow Posts: 418	Turkish or Polish Nice find!!! And unfortunately, as it used to be with objects like this one, it is very hard and sometimes impossible to tell where it comes from, because its origin is in territories of many different and merging influences. It is 17th century karabela indeed. It could be Turkish because this is the country where in 17th century karabelas where mostly in use. This one is with European blade, not much curved (half of the 17th cent?) with two fullers and what is more important, with sun, stars and moon engravings, very simple and characteristic for European blades. And this is OK, while European blades were very often in use for Turkish karabelas. But this was also the time when such sabres became very popular in Poland, and in 18th century karabelas has become “national” Polish weapon of noblemen. Handle of this sabre is quite unusual because of metal band which also covers part of the cross guard. I saw something similar, also some kind of reinforcement, and I saw it in Polish sabre. This sabre was with some Hungarian influences. Without conclusion, but with suggestion on Turkey or Poland. Anyway 700$ for such sabre is in my opinion quite good purchase.