Here is the second sword, what looks like a karabela. This one has less aggressive cleaning and less of a the yelman is less pronounced with a more normal profile. There is a Maltese cross near the guard (pictured).
On this one its clear that the wood has been replaced and therefore the normal rivets are replaced with simple domed ones. The blade has less cleaning and at least shows some patina. All I did since getting the sword was to remove some of the brass/metal polish which was quite thick in some places.
When I first picked this up I was happier about it than the szabla due to the more obvious age of the blade, but now having handled it I have more doubts - particularly about the cross. The wood being replaced on such an old sword would I imagine be a common occurrence assuming that these have had a long life and were not always valued. Now with Philips comments I am even more suspicious.
Again very interested to hear what you think, what might be original and what not.
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