Karabela origin?

Jim McDougall · 6th February 2014, 04:57 AM

Hi Archer,
Interesting note and indeed there has long been considerable debate on these distinctly hilted sabres, the term by which they are called notwithstanding. In Ostrowski (op.cit.) the author notes several possibilities for the term 'karabela', and it seems generally held that it probably derives as corrupted version of Kerbala, the city in Turkey. While these are also typically regarded as Ottoman sabres (well observed on the yelman), they became profoundly popular in Poland as parade sabres, though they certainly had their share of combat experience.
As you note these did find use in other countries as well

Thank you for posting these observations, and gad to have you here with us on the forum!!!

All very best regards,
Jim

6th February 2014, 04:57 AM	#8
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,194	Hi Archer, Interesting note and indeed there has long been considerable debate on these distinctly hilted sabres, the term by which they are called notwithstanding. In Ostrowski (op.cit.) the author notes several possibilities for the term 'karabela', and it seems generally held that it probably derives as corrupted version of Kerbala, the city in Turkey. While these are also typically regarded as Ottoman sabres (well observed on the yelman), they became profoundly popular in Poland as parade sabres, though they certainly had their share of combat experience. As you note these did find use in other countries as well Thank you for posting these observations, and gad to have you here with us on the forum!!! All very best regards, Jim