Before firearms were created, the most effective tool in combat was a slash weapon called cold steel, used for combat, cutting and stabbing. One of the type of such weapon is a saber.
According to the encyclopedia, a saber is a long, slashing melee weapon. From other weapons of this type, the saber is distinguished by a curved single-edged blade or having the so-called feather. The feather is the sharpened end of the blade on both sides, which was used to stab the enemy. By far the easiest way to tell the difference is a saber and a sword (that has a straight double-edged blade).
Construction of saber
There are 2 main parts in the construction of the saber: *A – hilt (handle) made in various techniques, e.g. wooden, metal, with horn or leather cladding, sometimes equipped with a hand guard *B – blade, which can be divided into 3 elements: guard (C), blade power (D), trust (E)
Elements of the saber: 1.) head 2.) shaft 3.) mustache 4.) crossguard 5.) blade 6.) ridge 7.) flat 8.) furrow 9.) hammer 10.) feather
History of the Polish saber
The saber is a weapon known to man since the dawn of time. Its origins should be looked for mainly in the east, in Asia, where it could be found already in the times of ancient Persia. Before it reached Poland, swords were the prime minister here. The saber spread in Poland and Europe only in the Middle Ages, and contributed to it, inter alia, invasions of Tatars and Turks with agile sabers, closer contacts with eastern neighbors – Lithuania, Russia and Hungary. Later, changes in the art of warfare, the emergence of light and manoeuvrable horse formations, replacing not too mobile knights, foot formations and horse mercenaries with different weapons, as well as the invention and development of firearms were of great importance.
The history of Polish sabers goes back to the end of the 15th century. The oldest type of Polish saber came into use during the reign of Stefan Batory, i.e. in the 16th century. The sixteenth-century saber was characterized by an open hilt, a large cross-shaped guard and a heavy blade with minimal curvature. It was still quite a sword. Sometimes the hand was covered with a chain from the crossguard to the base of the handle with a cap or pommel. This weapon, used only in combat, was not very decorative, and throughout its history it has undergone many metamorphoses.
Typology of the Polish saber
We can distinguish the following types of Polish sabers: – Hungarian-Polish saber, – Armenian saber, – husar saber, – karabela, – kościuszkowka, – batorowka, – zygmuntowka, – janowka, – augustowka, – wz. 1921/1922, – wz. 1934, – wz. 1971, – wz. 1976 WP and Navy saber wz. 1976 MW (Currently in use sabers wz. 76/08 WP and wz. 76/08 MW, respectively in the Polish Army and Navy) – wz. 1934/2002 for the needs of the Cavalry Squadron of the Polish Army (combat saber for privates and non-commissioned officers of this unit, based on the wz34 model), – a saber as a weapon used in sports.
Saber replicas
Currently, You can find replicas of sabers that are models of the original models with richly decorated handles, plain or engraved blades, with or without scabbards.
The saber was a symbol of Polish Sarmatism. We would like to present a number of unique replicas of this type of weapon that will give each room a noble atmosphere. Our offer includes: – hussar sabers – officer sabers common or gala so-called eaglet – cavalry sabers
In addition to the classic offer of replicas modeled on Polish sabers, You can order engravings on the blade or scabbard of a saber, with a dedication for a lover of weapons, history and the history of the Polish state. Our models are appreciated by many collectors in Poland and abroad. They are perfect for an occasional gift and as a patriotic and historical decoration.
For each model of the saber, You can buy a board (single or double) for presentation on the wall or a stand (single or double) for presentation on a chest of drawers, in a display case, in a room, classroom, or even a study or company office.
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Polish saber – definition, history, typology
Saber as weapon – definition and use
Before firearms were created, the most effective tool in combat was a slash weapon called cold steel, used for combat, cutting and stabbing. One of the type of such weapon is a saber.
According to the encyclopedia, a saber is a long, slashing melee weapon. From other weapons of this type, the saber is distinguished by a curved single-edged blade or having the so-called feather. The feather is the sharpened end of the blade on both sides, which was used to stab the enemy. By far the easiest way to tell the difference is a saber and a sword (that has a straight double-edged blade).
Construction of saber
There are 2 main parts in the construction of the saber:
*A – hilt (handle) made in various techniques, e.g. wooden, metal, with horn or leather cladding, sometimes equipped with a hand guard
*B – blade, which can be divided into 3 elements: guard (C), blade power (D), trust (E)
Elements of the saber:
1.) head
2.) shaft
3.) mustache
4.) crossguard
5.) blade
6.) ridge
7.) flat
8.) furrow
9.) hammer
10.) feather
History of the Polish saber
The saber is a weapon known to man since the dawn of time. Its origins should be looked for mainly in the east, in Asia, where it could be found already in the times of ancient Persia. Before it reached Poland, swords were the prime minister here. The saber spread in Poland and Europe only in the Middle Ages, and contributed to it, inter alia, invasions of Tatars and Turks with agile sabers, closer contacts with eastern neighbors – Lithuania, Russia and Hungary. Later, changes in the art of warfare, the emergence of light and manoeuvrable horse formations, replacing not too mobile knights, foot formations and horse mercenaries with different weapons, as well as the invention and development of firearms were of great importance.
The history of Polish sabers goes back to the end of the 15th century. The oldest type of Polish saber came into use during the reign of Stefan Batory, i.e. in the 16th century. The sixteenth-century saber was characterized by an open hilt, a large cross-shaped guard and a heavy blade with minimal curvature. It was still quite a sword. Sometimes the hand was covered with a chain from the crossguard to the base of the handle with a cap or pommel. This weapon, used only in combat, was not very decorative, and throughout its history it has undergone many metamorphoses.
Typology of the Polish saber
We can distinguish the following types of Polish sabers:
– Hungarian-Polish saber,
– Armenian saber,
– husar saber,
– karabela,
– kościuszkowka,
– batorowka,
– zygmuntowka,
– janowka,
– augustowka,
– wz. 1921/1922,
– wz. 1934,
– wz. 1971,
– wz. 1976 WP and Navy saber wz. 1976 MW (Currently in use sabers wz. 76/08 WP and wz. 76/08 MW, respectively in the Polish Army and Navy)
– wz. 1934/2002 for the needs of the Cavalry Squadron of the Polish Army (combat saber for privates and non-commissioned officers of this unit, based on the wz34 model),
– a saber as a weapon used in sports.
Saber replicas
Currently, You can find replicas of sabers that are models of the original models with richly decorated handles, plain or engraved blades, with or without scabbards.
The saber was a symbol of Polish Sarmatism. We would like to present a number of unique replicas of this type of weapon that will give each room a noble atmosphere. Our offer includes:
– hussar sabers
– officer sabers common or gala so-called eaglet
– cavalry sabers
In addition to the classic offer of replicas modeled on Polish sabers, You can order engravings on the blade or scabbard of a saber, with a dedication for a lover of weapons, history and the history of the Polish state. Our models are appreciated by many collectors in Poland and abroad. They are perfect for an occasional gift and as a patriotic and historical decoration.
For each model of the saber, You can buy a board (single or double) for presentation on the wall or a stand (single or double) for presentation on a chest of drawers, in a display case, in a room, classroom, or even a study or company office.
We invite You to check our offer of sabers.