18thC Austro-Hungarian hussar sabre

Roland_M · 10th January 2018, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Victrix

The pommel shows a peened tang which I haven’t seen before, as the end is usually covered by a little brass shield. This could mean that the hilt has been reworked?

I dont think so. The riveting looks original and it is quite difficult to make a proper riveting on a sword or saber. This needs a lot of practise. It requires a special technique with the hammer, which I cannot describe in English (a kind of drawn hit, which is very difficult to make). Experts can judge by the riveting whether it is original or not. A perfect riveting has a shape like a bell.

Roland

Victrix · 10th January 2018, 06:06 PM

Thank you for your kind comment mariusgmioc. I already have red felt material so will make a washer to see what it looks like. It easily slips on and off and is simple to make.

Victrix · 10th January 2018, 06:12 PM

Many thanks for your comment Roland. Interesting to hear your view on the handicraft. I wish we knew more about these artisans: who they were, how they worked, etc. I took another photo to show two similar Austro-Hungarian sabres but with quite different pommels. One shows the tang rivet whereas the other one seems concealed behind a little shield. That’s why I thought the hilt on the left might have been reworked? But maybe it’s just two different styles?

Roland_M · 12th January 2018, 01:08 PM

Hi Victrix,

in my opinion your riveting is original.

Here are two examples from my collection, one French chasseur saber and one massive Cuirassier Sword. Looks very similar to your example.

The Cuirassier sword got a perfect riveting. Everything is 100% fixed in place after almost 200 years.

Roland

Victrix · 12th January 2018, 02:35 PM

Hi Roland,

I think you are most likely correct. The Austro-Hungarian sabres have quite different designed pommels compared to the French swords, but I checked with Wagner’s Cut & Thrust Weapons and some sabres show tang rivets and some don’t.

The sabre on the left is estimated to be from around 1740 and the one on the right from around 1790. Below I post a photo of a Hungarian sabre from around 1650 which shows a similar teardrop shaped cap on the pommel with a tang rivet. So I think you are most likely correct.

corrado26 · 12th January 2018, 03:41 PM

Until a few weeks ago I had this sabre in my collection, but sold it. He had nearly the same riveting as on the sabre in question. Could you please post some fotos pf the rings of the sheath and how they are fixed?
corrado26

Victrix · 12th January 2018, 04:45 PM

That’s a very beautiful sabre Corrado. Wagner calls it a ”Fringia” sabre in his book. It looks like it doesn’t show the tang rivet which is hidden behind the teardrop shaped cap? I assume the scabbard is covered in black leather. It looks almost blue in the photos.

Please see scabbard ring photos below as requested.I will clean the sword to remove dirt and oxidation to prevent damage. I will spray the blade with Ballistol and leave on overnight in the hope of removing faint signs of rust speckles.

10th January 2018, 06:12 PM	#3
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 763	Many thanks for your comment Roland. Interesting to hear your view on the handicraft. I wish we knew more about these artisans: who they were, how they worked, etc. I took another photo to show two similar Austro-Hungarian sabres but with quite different pommels. One shows the tang rivet whereas the other one seems concealed behind a little shield. That’s why I thought the hilt on the left might have been reworked? But maybe it’s just two different styles? Attached Images

12th January 2018, 01:08 PM	#4
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Hi Victrix, in my opinion your riveting is original. Here are two examples from my collection, one French chasseur saber and one massive Cuirassier Sword. Looks very similar to your example. The Cuirassier sword got a perfect riveting. Everything is 100% fixed in place after almost 200 years. Roland Attached Images

12th January 2018, 02:35 PM	#5
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 763	Hi Roland, I think you are most likely correct. The Austro-Hungarian sabres have quite different designed pommels compared to the French swords, but I checked with Wagner’s Cut & Thrust Weapons and some sabres show tang rivets and some don’t. The sabre on the left is estimated to be from around 1740 and the one on the right from around 1790. Below I post a photo of a Hungarian sabre from around 1650 which shows a similar teardrop shaped cap on the pommel with a tang rivet. So I think you are most likely correct. Attached Images

12th January 2018, 03:41 PM	#6
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,241	Until a few weeks ago I had this sabre in my collection, but sold it. He had nearly the same riveting as on the sabre in question. Could you please post some fotos pf the rings of the sheath and how they are fixed? corrado26 Attached Images

12th January 2018, 04:45 PM	#7
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 763	That’s a very beautiful sabre Corrado. Wagner calls it a ”Fringia” sabre in his book. It looks like it doesn’t show the tang rivet which is hidden behind the teardrop shaped cap? I assume the scabbard is covered in black leather. It looks almost blue in the photos. Please see scabbard ring photos below as requested.I will clean the sword to remove dirt and oxidation to prevent damage. I will spray the blade with Ballistol and leave on overnight in the hope of removing faint signs of rust speckles. Attached Images

10th January 2018, 06:06 PM	#2
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 763	Thank you for your kind comment mariusgmioc. I already have red felt material so will make a washer to see what it looks like. It easily slips on and off and is simple to make.