The earliest sabers

Jim McDougall · 26th June 2007, 05:31 PM

This is an outstanding blade!!! and if memory serves it would seem to correspond to Altaic sabres of the period you suggest. The angled tang (which becomes consistant in some Tatar sabres and the 'Mingrelian' shashkas among others) is seen on these 'Altaic' examples. I think there are good drawings of these in David Nicolle's work on the Mongols. The remains of the 'tunkou' at the blade root also seem consistant with these.
What an incredible find, and as noted, how unfortunate that more exacting provenance was lost,
It seems the remains of swords of this form were discussed a number of times over many years on these forums...can anybody help with the references in Nicolle (I think it is "the Mongol Warlords" that the drawings are in). I think the heading for the discussions here were 'Siberian sabre' ?

Very much looking forward to input on this as it appears an extremely important blade, and fascinating as the long standing and ever developing debates and discussions on the sabre form evolve.

Thank you again for sharing this blade!!!

All the best,
Jim

kronckew · 26th June 2007, 06:29 PM

very interesting, reminds me of my repro 9c magyar sabre:

similar shape, angled hilt and a semi-sharp upper edge at the tip for the 1st 10 in. this one is only 29in. blade, bronze guard and heavy bronze pommel tho. may help envision what yours looked like when it was new.....

26th June 2007, 05:31 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,459	This is an outstanding blade!!! and if memory serves it would seem to correspond to Altaic sabres of the period you suggest. The angled tang (which becomes consistant in some Tatar sabres and the 'Mingrelian' shashkas among others) is seen on these 'Altaic' examples. I think there are good drawings of these in David Nicolle's work on the Mongols. The remains of the 'tunkou' at the blade root also seem consistant with these. What an incredible find, and as noted, how unfortunate that more exacting provenance was lost, It seems the remains of swords of this form were discussed a number of times over many years on these forums...can anybody help with the references in Nicolle (I think it is "the Mongol Warlords" that the drawings are in). I think the heading for the discussions here were 'Siberian sabre' ? Very much looking forward to input on this as it appears an extremely important blade, and fascinating as the long standing and ever developing debates and discussions on the sabre form evolve. Thank you again for sharing this blade!!! All the best, Jim

26th June 2007, 06:29 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	very interesting, reminds me of my repro 9c magyar sabre: similar shape, angled hilt and a semi-sharp upper edge at the tip for the 1st 10 in. this one is only 29in. blade, bronze guard and heavy bronze pommel tho. may help envision what yours looked like when it was new.....