POLNISCH / LITAUISCH ODER OSMANISCH KARABELA SÄBEL SCHWERT MIT SCHEIDE, ZWITE HALB DES 17. JHDT.,

POLNISCH / LITAUISCH ODER OSMANISCH KARABELA SÄBEL SCHWERT MIT SCHEIDE, ZWITE HALB DES 17. JHDT., POLEN


Origin: Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth or Ottoman Empire, 2nd half of 17th century.
Important karabela type saber, one of the most desired European edged weapons, used by Polish and Lithuanian nobility and famous winged hussars from 17thto late 19thcentury. The eagle head hilt (called karabela after Polish tradition) was used also in Russia, Balkans, Turkey, Persia.
This karabela sabre belongs to group A according to the classification by Professor Z. ?ygulski jr. and dates to the 2nd half of the 17th century, made for battle use, not parade. Length in scabbard - 98 cm, without – 95,5 cm.
A characteristic form of the scabbard furnishing allows to date this karabela at the end of 17th century. A sabre given by T. Kosciuszko to Lazar Carnot (now in Paris), dated to the 2nd half of the 17th century, also has similar furnishing.
Blade: Curved single edged blade with one wide fuller and yelmen. Sickle – shape markings on the blade. Length of the blade – ca. 84 cm, width – 36 mm.
Hilt: Handle consists from two grip plates made of dark horn and riveted by three rivets with rosettes. Ornamented gilt brass tape covering the gap between grip plates. Pommel a little widening to the top, of characteristic eagle-head shape. Iron crossguard of characteristic shape with quillons with round heads. Inventory number from collection.
Scabbard: Wooden scabbard covered with original black leather and iron fittings. Inventory number from collection. Length of the scabbard 87 cm.
Notices: important example of good quality Polish karabela with original scabbard. Very rare! Published in Pasja zbierania. Kolekcja Ryszarda Janiaka by Ryszard Z Janiak; Ryszard de Latour; Anna Kwa?nik-Gliwi?ska; Andrzej Diniejko, p. 220, item no. I/235.
Provenance: Ryszard Janiak collection. Exibited in Roayal Castle in Warsaw (Poland) and National Museum in Kilecy (Poland).
Condition report: very good condition for the age. Blade with pitting from corrosion, cleaned. Some cuts, scratches. Maker’s mark with patina in the bed. Gap between blade and crossguard is filled with new volume. Iron parts of the scabbard with pitting from corrosion, cleaned. Leather in good overall condition, with cracks and wear off from the age. Bone of grip plates with small cracks, scratches and wear off.
Bibliography:
Pasja zbierania. Kolekcja Ryszarda Janiaka. Ryszard Z Janiak; Ryszard de Latour; Anna Kwa?nik-Gliwi?ska; Andrzej Diniejko, p. 220, item no. I/235
Zdzislaw Zygulski, Karabela i szabla orla, Studia do dziejów dawnego uzbrojenia i ubioru wojskowego, T. VII, Krakow, 1978;
W. Kwa?niewicz, Szabla polska od XV do ko?ca XVIII wieku, 1988;
A. Nadolski, Polska bro?, bro? bia?a, Zak?ad Narodowy im. Ossoli?skich, 1974 – pictures 75-78.
W. Zab?ocki, Szable swiata, 2011, page 164;
T. Jarnuszkiewicz, Szabla wschodnia i jej typy narodowe, 1973.