Terminology of Polish-Lithuanian arms

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:16 PM

Terminology of Polish-Lithuanian arms

After a recent annoying discussion in a well-known facebook forum (yes, I see my mistake...) about trying to explain to someone that a Polish-Hungarian type sabre is not the same as a Karabela, I decided to record the terminology of weapons from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth here in all its facets from the literature, the way I got to know it.

In each case the picture of a weapon type is shown which is representative of possible alterations and the common names are given. I try as best I can to show an original example of each type, but if it makes didactic sense, a replica may also be used. This will then be clarified.

Please note that the terminology only really took off at the end of the 19th century and that the terms were used synonymously before then. In the 17th century, for example, there were "curved sabres", "curved pallasches", "straight sabres", "swords" (could be anything from rapiers to dussacks) and so on and so forth.

Let's start with Karabelas, after all, that's where the muck grew.

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:37 PM

Karabela

Synonyms: Szabla orla (Eagle´s sabre), Szabla z rękojeścią karabelowatą (Karabela-hilted sabre), Szabla z otwartą rękojeścią (open-hilted sabre; imprecise)

Note: The term used to describe any highly decorated sabre or pallash. Furthermore, there are two types according to today's understanding: the combat Karabela and the Karabela kontuszowa (dress version).

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:42 PM

Szabla polsko-węgierska (Polish-Hungarian sabre)

Synonyms: Szabla węgierska, Węgierka, Batorówka (wrong)

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:47 PM

Ordynka

Synonyms: Ormianka (debatable), Smyczek, Szabla tatarska, Czeczuga (Special feature here: distinctive blade, see picture)

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:51 PM

Szabla husarska

Synonyms: Szabla czarna (debatable), Pałasz husarski, Szabla z zamkniętym kabłąkiem

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 04:52 PM

L-ka

Synonyms: Szabla czarna (debatable), Pałasz husarski, Szabla z półotwartym kabłąkiem, Szabla husarska

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 07:34 PM

Corrected and now invalid post!

awdaniec666 · 18th April 2024, 08:34 PM

Kościuszkówka

18th April 2024, 04:16 PM	#1
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Terminology of Polish-Lithuanian arms Terminology of Polish-Lithuanian arms After a recent annoying discussion in a well-known facebook forum (yes, I see my mistake...) about trying to explain to someone that a Polish-Hungarian type sabre is not the same as a Karabela, I decided to record the terminology of weapons from the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth here in all its facets from the literature, the way I got to know it. In each case the picture of a weapon type is shown which is representative of possible alterations and the common names are given. I try as best I can to show an original example of each type, but if it makes didactic sense, a replica may also be used. This will then be clarified. Please note that the terminology only really took off at the end of the 19th century and that the terms were used synonymously before then. In the 17th century, for example, there were "curved sabres", "curved pallasches", "straight sabres", "swords" (could be anything from rapiers to dussacks) and so on and so forth. Let's start with Karabelas, after all, that's where the muck grew. Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 09:10 PM.

18th April 2024, 04:37 PM	#2
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Karabela Synonyms: Szabla orla (Eagle´s sabre), Szabla z rękojeścią karabelowatą (Karabela-hilted sabre), Szabla z otwartą rękojeścią (open-hilted sabre; imprecise) Note: The term used to describe any highly decorated sabre or pallash. Furthermore, there are two types according to today's understanding: the combat Karabela and the Karabela kontuszowa (dress version). Attached Images Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 05:35 PM.

18th April 2024, 04:42 PM	#3
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Szabla polsko-węgierska (Polish-Hungarian sabre) Synonyms: Szabla węgierska, Węgierka, Batorówka (wrong) Attached Images Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 05:04 PM.

18th April 2024, 04:47 PM	#4
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Ordynka Synonyms: Ormianka (debatable), Smyczek, Szabla tatarska, Czeczuga (Special feature here: distinctive blade, see picture) Attached Images Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 08:59 PM.

18th April 2024, 04:51 PM	#5
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Szabla husarska Synonyms: Szabla czarna (debatable), Pałasz husarski, Szabla z zamkniętym kabłąkiem Attached Images

18th April 2024, 04:52 PM	#6
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	L-ka Synonyms: Szabla czarna (debatable), Pałasz husarski, Szabla z półotwartym kabłąkiem, Szabla husarska Attached Images Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 09:04 PM.

18th April 2024, 07:34 PM	#7
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Corrected and now invalid post! Last edited by awdaniec666; 18th April 2024 at 09:01 PM.

18th April 2024, 08:34 PM	#8
awdaniec666 Member Join Date: May 2021 Location: Northern Germany Posts: 143	Kościuszkówka Attached Images