Chronological listing of Polish-Lithuanian and Hungarian sabers

[Teisani]

20 - Illésházy Gáspár (1593 – 1648) in life and death.

Note: Rich guys can have more than one sabre.

https://www.museumap.hu/record/-/rec...0/2/score/DESC

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/C...1sp%C3%A1r.jpg

[Teisani]

Remark: this sabre looks remarkably like the "Gothic sabre" (see page 1 on thread), a bit too similar. And the brass hilt (not gold) rings alarm bells, blade has a nice shape though, I suspect re-hilt. Any opinions?

https://www.hermann-historica.de/en/...s/lot/id/68147

The slightly curved, flat, single-edged blade with a broad, double-edged point. The obverse with the marks of the famous Ottoman arsenal in the former Hagia Irene (Aya Irini) church in Constantinople. The quillons and grip made of brass, slightly patinated. Length 90 cm. An extremely rare piece dating from the reign of the celebrated Sultan Suleiman I Kanuni (1520 – 1566) and his campaigns in Central Europe. In good condition. Condition: III +

[Teisani]

Nikola Zrisnki sabre mimics

There are a few sabres around that look like (Szigetvár) Zrisnki's sabre:

A - Pulszky sabre - beware of this one, it's actually a reproduction. Source: https://docplayer.hu/222752167-Tanul...-szablyak.html

The heroes of the anti-Turkish wars played an important role in the strengthening Hungarian national consciousness in the 19th century, among them Miklós Zrínyi, who died a heroic death at Szigetvár. It is probably due to this that Ferenc Pulszky made a copy of the Zrínyi saber kept in Vienna using a saber blade that came into his possession. The artefact was presented to the Hungarian National Museum by Ágoston Pulszky in 1898. The inventory diary of the time accurately reports on the details: "The blade originally belonged to Napoleon I, who, after the battle of Marengo, sent it as a gift to Melas, the leader of the Austrian armies at the time, accompanied by a letter. (The letter is in the possession of the Kassa museum.) Melas's wife damaged the scabbard of the sword, melted its gold, and gave the blade to Melas's adjutant, with whom she probably had a tender relationship. It came into the hands of Tettenborn from the adjutant, and Viczay won it from him for 100 gold. It was obtained from Viczay by Gábor Fehérváry, Ferenc Pulszky's uncle, from whom Pulszky inherited the sword. The scabbard and hilt of the sword are a faithful copy of the Zrínyi sword preserved in the collection of the Vienna court."

B - "Radsporn" sabre - not sure what to say about this one. The blade looks OK to me, but similarity to the Zrinski sabre, and the brass crossguard meakes me doubt this one. Any thoughts?
Source:https://www.lotsearch.de/lot/saebel-...-1600-47392553 & https://www.barnebys.de/blog/ein-aut...der-landshuter

Single-edged blade with two narrow fullers and a stepped, double-edged point. Master's mark "Radsporn" embossed on the front next to the double inscription "IOHANNI". Cross-shaped, decorated quillons in brass. Leather grip, partly faceted. Curved pommel-cap, pointed oval and decorated. Underneath brass-framed perforation for a carrying strap. Brass decorative rivets. Old, professionally restored, leather-covered wooden scabbard, embossed with a wavy pattern on the front, reverse. smooth. Ornate brass fittings with carrying rings. The chape is decorated with edging on both sides in the lower third.

C - This one isn't really a mimic, but has some similarities, it's most likely an Ottoman sabre from the Topkapi Palace. Can't find any further info.

[Teisani]

21 - Hungarian sabre - Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum.

Interestingly, compared to most other sabres with long quillons, this one has a European blade. Can't find any other info on it.

[Teisani]

22 - Sabre of Nikola VII Zrinski (Hungarian: Zrínyi Miklós; 1620–1664), Ban of Croatia from 1647 until 1664. Bítov collection.

[Teisani]

I need some help. I am looking for a depiction on a Hungarian sabre with classic boot-hilt, in a medieval/renaissance manuscript, German I think, about firearms? fireworks?... I really don't remember. I remember seeing it many years ago online...but cannot find it anymore. Does this ring any bells to anyone?

[Interested Party]

I recently read Denis Toichkin's Sabers of Hetman Ivan Mazepa article from which this photo was taken of what he concludes to be a composite saber. Where does this particular hilt fit into the discussion? It seems to be classified as a Hussar Karabela hilt that Toichkin states was popular in the late 17th century with Cossack nobles. To me the angle of the hilt and thumb ring seem reminiscent of Central and Northern European Influence. Were these straighter hilted Karabelas common?

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by Teisani

21 - Hungarian sabre - Magyar Nemzeti Múzeum.

Interestingly, compared to most other sabres with long quillons, this one has a European blade. Can't find any other info on it.

This specimen looks exactly like the ones gifted by Bathory to the Saxon court. They can be still found in the Rüstkammer Dresden - possibly a museal loan?

[Teisani]

Originally Posted by awdaniec666

This specimen looks exactly like the ones gifted by Bathory to the Saxon court. They can be still found in the Rüstkammer Dresden - possibly a museal loan?

You mean Y0054 ( https://skd-online-collection.skd.mu...s/Index/284576 )? No, they're different sabers. But you're right they are similar. Didn't have time to post it together with the others unfortunately.

[Teisani]

One minor note. I thought Illésházy Ferenc's scabbard looked familiar...by chance, looking on SKD-online I found sabre Y0224 with a similar scabbard. OK, it's not identical, but pretty close. They're even both probably from the 1650-1660! Check the description.

No way do I think they're the same sabre... but same scabbard maker? Maybe.

https://skd-online-collection.skd.mu...s/Index/289059

[awdaniec666]

Originally Posted by Teisani

You mean Y0054 ( https://skd-online-collection.skd.mu...s/Index/284576 )? No, they're different sabers. But you're right they are similar. Didn't have time to post it together with the others unfortunately.

Different sabers of course, but the gift was a batch of these. I don´t think any of them was identical to another. But this question could be solved with a short email to the museum if somebody would be seriously interested.

P.S.: You´ve asked me about the origin of the stone sculputures with the Karabela(-ish) hilt within the PDF I shared. Did not forget this! It´s from an Epitaph by Paul Volckmer in the Hl. Sebald Church in Nürnberg from 1499.