A saber of unknown origin and age

[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 So sharpening the edge is obsolete from this point of view!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.