A saber of unknown origin and age

[awdaniec666]

Hey Bryce, thanks for sharing that.

[Victrix]

Here are some pictures of my unsharpened pallasch. In Sweden it’s defined as Cavalry Sabre m/1893 for Officers. The blade is in good quality steel with two fullers. Although the tip is sharp the sides of the blade are slightly rounded.

[awdaniec666]

Interesting point Victrix! As far as I know Pallasch´s were not used for cutting. In fact heavy cavalry members were told to thrust only. So sharpening the edge is obsolete from this point of view! (source: Matt Eastons Youtube channel "schola gladiatoria")

[Victrix]

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

Interesting point Victrix! As far as I know Pallasch´s were not used for cutting. In fact heavy cavalry members were told to thrust only. So sharpening the edge is obsolete from this point of view! (source: Matt Eastons Youtube channel "schola gladiatoria")

My sword is only good for pricking with in its current condition. In the early 20thC Swedish Dragoons were trained in cut and thrust sabre (more correctly termed pallash) fencing. First they received dismounted training, and on mastering the technique they continued with mounted training (source: Umeås Blå Dragoner, Norrlands dragonregemente, 1994). Apparently they had to be trained to avoid the risk of mistakenly cutting off the ears of their horses with wild and undisciplined cutting movements.

In terms of older pallashes they were either single or double edged. How sharp the edges were probably varied.

[Radboud]

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

Interesting point Victrix! As far as I know Pallasch´s were not used for cutting. In fact heavy cavalry members were told to thrust only. So sharpening the edge is obsolete from this point of view! (source: Matt Eastons Youtube channel "schola gladiatoria")

French troops of the Napoleonic era were consistently under-equipped and had to make do with the equipment at hand.

Which included officers instructing their troops to use the sharpened forte of the blade to cut wood and the sharpened tip for combat. Troopers even resorted to using their blades as a spit to cook foraged meat over a fire!

This came from the notes of a German Officer's experience in the French army. But I can't find the source sorry.

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by Radboud

Troopers even resorted to using their blades as a spit to cook foraged meat over a fire!

Oh, tempering goodbye :P

[David R]

Originally Posted by Radboud

French troops of the Napoleonic era were consistently under-equipped and had to make do with the equipment at hand.

Which included officers instructing their troops to use the sharpened forte of the blade to cut wood and the sharpened tip for combat. Troopers even resorted to using their blades as a spit to cook foraged meat over a fire!

This came from the notes of a German Officer's experience in the French army. But I can't find the source sorry.

Ramrods as spits I believe, but not blades.