Antique 18th century circa 1750 Polish Nobleman Hunting Sword with a hilt of characteristic Karabela form retained by three elaborate gilt brass rivets, and enclosed by gold gilded fluted brass straps, fitted with a shaped brass collar at the base, steel cross-guard including a pair of vertically - recurved quillons with scalloped terminals, quillon block decorated on each side with chased in low relief hound on a gilt punched ground.
A broad slightly curved single - edged blade, double - edged toward the point, engraved and gilt on each face with scrolling foliage.
The sword comes with its original scabbard with steel locket decorated en suite with the hilt mounts with chased in low relief on a gilt ground with military trophies, involving a quiver full of arrows, musket with bayonet, hunting horn, sword, surmounted by floral motifs. The frog button chased with sitting hound on gilt punched ground.
According to the Polish references: "Bron w Dawnej Polsce" by Zdzislaw Zygulski page 281, and "1000 SLÓW O BRONI BIALEJ I UZBROJENIU OCHRONNYM" by Wlodzimierz Kwas'niewicz, page 109, during the period time of the second quarter of the 18th century this particular type of hunting swords with Karabela hilts were worn by Polish Noblemen to there costume Kontusz instead of the long karabela sword. Furthermore, Kwas'niewicz in his book states that with this type of weapon were armed Polish soldiers during the war with Russia, known as the Kos'ciuszko insurrection. Both of these authors are respectable experts in historical Polish arms and armour.
Also a very similar sword to this one described as an 18th century Polish Hunting sword is published in the book "Antique Arms and Armor", written by one of the leading British antique arms and armour experts, Frederick Wilkinson, page 107 Picture. S.W.32.
The Karabela, a sword of Ottoman origin, became highly popular in Poland during the 17th -19th century adopted by Polish nobility, and came to be known to the rest of the world including Turkey, as the national sword of Polish Nobility. In fact, the Turks believed that the sword is of Polish origin, and that the leather was adopted by the Ottomans, this opinion stems from the resemblance of the pommel to the head of the eagle. Many of these swords were made in various types and diversity, locally in Poland, but also in neighboring countries for export to Poland, but also for the local market. Hunting swords with a Karabela hilt were very fashionable during the 18th century, not only amongst Polish nobility, but also amongst the Hungarian and Russian aristocracy.
CONDITION: The grips are cracked, as common in these hilts but hold very solid, the inner site of the hilt chipped near the brass straps, which is slightly bent. The lower part of the scabbard is broken, the chape missing.
MEASUREMENTS: The overall length with the scabbard is approximately: 72.7 cm (28 5/8 in).
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