Swedish m/1791 hussar sabre

Victrix · 11th February 2024, 08:09 PM

Thank you, Jim. I’m pleased with the sabre and the notch adds an interesting collectable detail. You may well be right about the notch used mainly for duelling purposes. In Germanic lands especially there are well known customs at fraternities devoted to duelling and scars were proudly displayed. The notches could perhaps be used to draw blood without causing fatal injuries. Contemporary historic materials mention appalling wounds caused by sabres in times of war.

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Jim McDougall · 11th February 2024, 10:13 PM

I think the reason these notches are relatively rare is that this was likely a limited affectation, which is again why it is never noted in accounts of hussar 'lore', It may be that the presumption of the 'gorier' purpose became broadly known, again in popular lore of the times. The Pandours had a notorious reputation for their depredations much in the same manner as dragoon regiments often had similar reputation. There was a colloquial expression of being 'dragooned' if memory serves.

Perhaps, much in the way of the maligned saw tooth Schmidt-Rubin bayonet of WWI, which was seen to be a horrendous weapon to cause heinous wounding, so that allied forces finding one with a German soldier led to his summary execution.....these notched points were ground away. In reality these toothed bayonets were designed for utility use in assembling emplacements etc.....but the German soldiers hastily ground off the teeth on the blades to avoid the wrath of the allies if captured.

As noted the 'symbolic' presence of these notched blades toward dueling, were likely applied in the manner described, to draw blood and satisfy resolution to a matter of infringed honor without fatality. As you mention, the German 'duels' using the lightweight schlager saber are fought with the sole purpose of acquiring a facial scar. This was seen as a mark of honor in accord with the flamboyant age of the hussar.

This was known as the 'mensur' and one fencing master, very well known, who I communicated with on occasion, had fought at least three of these, which are apparently not fought that much these days as this was featured in the book, "By the Sword" (Cohen).

Contrary to popular belief, duels were seldom fought to the death, and as these were pre arranged, the element of rage and adrenalin typically only became a factor if one combatant did something out of bounds etc.
Once blood was drawn,even a scratch, the match was typically ended.

11th February 2024, 08:09 PM	#1
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 682	Thank you, Jim. I’m pleased with the sabre and the notch adds an interesting collectable detail. You may well be right about the notch used mainly for duelling purposes. In Germanic lands especially there are well known customs at fraternities devoted to duelling and scars were proudly displayed. The notches could perhaps be used to draw blood without causing fatal injuries. Contemporary historic materials mention appalling wounds caused by sabres in times of war. - Last edited by fernando; 13th March 2024 at 08:31 PM. Reason: Please do not quote entire previous posts, just relevant small sections when necessary.

11th February 2024, 10:13 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,785	I think the reason these notches are relatively rare is that this was likely a limited affectation, which is again why it is never noted in accounts of hussar 'lore', It may be that the presumption of the 'gorier' purpose became broadly known, again in popular lore of the times. The Pandours had a notorious reputation for their depredations much in the same manner as dragoon regiments often had similar reputation. There was a colloquial expression of being 'dragooned' if memory serves. Perhaps, much in the way of the maligned saw tooth Schmidt-Rubin bayonet of WWI, which was seen to be a horrendous weapon to cause heinous wounding, so that allied forces finding one with a German soldier led to his summary execution.....these notched points were ground away. In reality these toothed bayonets were designed for utility use in assembling emplacements etc.....but the German soldiers hastily ground off the teeth on the blades to avoid the wrath of the allies if captured. As noted the 'symbolic' presence of these notched blades toward dueling, were likely applied in the manner described, to draw blood and satisfy resolution to a matter of infringed honor without fatality. As you mention, the German 'duels' using the lightweight schlager saber are fought with the sole purpose of acquiring a facial scar. This was seen as a mark of honor in accord with the flamboyant age of the hussar. This was known as the 'mensur' and one fencing master, very well known, who I communicated with on occasion, had fought at least three of these, which are apparently not fought that much these days as this was featured in the book, "By the Sword" (Cohen). Contrary to popular belief, duels were seldom fought to the death, and as these were pre arranged, the element of rage and adrenalin typically only became a factor if one combatant did something out of bounds etc. Once blood was drawn,even a scratch, the match was typically ended.