Sabre Guide-history of sabre, sabre types, info and guide. Military sabres, duelling sabres, Oriental, European, American sabre swords. Heavy and light sabres.
Sabre Sword
Sabre is usually curved weapon used for slashes and stabs. Sabre was famous primary weapon used by various cavalry troops in 16th – 20th centuries.
Sabre history and origin
Sabre originating in Asia. Many Asian nations used sabres and curved swords in ancient times and in medieval times of European knights who used mostly straight swords.
Sabre is usually lighter but faster weapon than an average European medieval sword.
Mongols, Turks, Persians, Arabs and Indians worn sabre swords from ancient history.
Poles and Magyars (Hungarians) adopted Turkish and Mongol sabres in 16th century. They named the new weapon Szabla. Szabla was a famous heavy weapon of Polish Hussars and Hungarian nobility. Szabla name was adopted by western nations later as sabre.
Russian and Ukrainian cossacks adopted Caucasian shashka and make the shashka sabre legend.
SABRE TYPES
Some of the most famous types of sabre.
1. Oriental sabres
Shamshir-Persian sabre
Persian weapon with curved blade used from 9th century (original Persian swords were straight). Shamshir means sword.
Kilij-Turkish sabre
Kilij was one handed, curved, single edged weapon of Turks (Seljuk and Ottoman Empire). These sabre swords were adopted during conquest of Balkan. Turkish swords were used by Poles, Russians, Hungarians, Serbs and Greeks.
Saif or scimitar-Arabic sabre sword
Scimitar is a curved Arabic sword based on Persian shamshir. The saif is known from 9th century. The scimitar swords were used mostly by cavalry troops because of its speed, light wight and elegance. The scimitar is coat of arms of Saudi Arabia and it serves as an executioner’s tool for beheading there till today.
Talwar-Indian sabre
Talwars are sabre swords from Indian subcontinent produced from about 1300AD. Talwars were used by infantry and cavalry. Mughal empire means golden age for talwars. Mughals were rulers of India and they were originally Turko-Mongol dynasty. 1796 Light cavalry sabre is based on Talwar sword.
Mameluke sword
Sabre sword used by Mamelukes, Egyptian Turks (Ottomans) who were originally Turkish slave caste. The sword has been adopted by French Napoleon army. British general and USMC sabre swords are made as reproduction of these beautiful swords. European and American sabres based on these Mamluke swords have longer and less curved blades than the originals.
Dao sabre
Dao is Chinese curved sabre sword. Single edged, cruved weapon known in China from Shang dynasty. Dao sabre sword was often used as a weapon of Chinese peasant rebellions during Ming period.
2. European sabres
Polish Szabla
Heavy Eastern European sabre used in Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Hungary. Poles were often in contact with Mongols and Turks so they adopted the sabre earlier than other European nations. Karabela was a lighter type of Polish sabre.
Shashka sabre
Shashka is a legendary Caucassian sabre used by Russian and Ukrainian cossacs. Shashka is very sharp sabre. Shashka has a single edge and missing guard. Shahka usually has an ornated scabbard.
Shashka types: Caucassian shashka and Russian shashka.
Shashka was adopted by Russian imperial hussar regiments in 19th century.
Swiss sabre
Swiss sabre evolved from backsword in 16th century.
French briquet sabre
Briquet sabre was a common infantry sabre used in French army from napoleonic wars.
1796 Light cavalry sabre
The Pattern 1796 Light Cavalry Sabre is a sword that was used primarily by British Light Dragoons and hussars, and King’s German Legion light cavalry during the Napoleonic Wars. It was adopted by the Prussians (as the 1811 pattern or “Blücher sabre”). The 1796 sabre was used later in American civil war.
3. American sabers
1840 Heavy cavalry saber
The M1840 was designed for slashing and because of its heavy flat-backed blade was given the nickname “Old Wristbreaker. The 1840 sabre was based on French 1822 hussar sabre. The sabre was widely used by Union forces during Civil War.
1860 Light cavalry saber
1860 sabre was sabre substitution for 1840 heavy cavalry sabre.
4. Modern sabres
Fencing sabre
Modern fencing sabre originating from the Italian light duelling sabre of the 19th century. Fencing sabre is as heavy as fencing foil.
Touches with the cutting edges as well as the point are scored.