Antique 17th-18th century Polish Obuszek War Hammer Nadziak

An exceptional antique 17th-18th century Polish Obuszek (War Hammer—Nadziak) with a strong bronze head. The head has a square-faced hammer and a faced stem incised with a geometric pattern. There is a central block with a pair of short triangular langets and a down-curved, beak-shaped rear fluke with a diamond-shaped section and geometric decoration at the top. The head is mounted on a tapered wooden shaft of a circular section.

The "Obuszek," with a head in the form of a war hammer called "Nadziak," was very popular among the Polish nobility during the 17th and 18th centuries. It served not only as a walking cane but also as a deadly weapon, often used in fights. Due to its deadly nature, carrying it in local councils and churches was prohibited.
 

In 17th-18th century Poland, wearing the "Obuszek" was so widespread among the nobility that it spawned the saying, "Bez karabeli ani z poscieli, bez obuszka ani od lozka" (without a karabela, he does not get up from the sheets, and without an obuszek from the bed).
The "Obuszek" was a common secondary weapon of Polish nobles, right behind the Polish karabela sword.

A similar obuszek is published in the Russian book with other 17th-century Polish weapons, such as swords, war hammers, axes, and maces.
These weapons were captured by the Cossacks as war booty during the Polish-Russian wars. The details can be found in the book "Edged Weapons of Don Cossacks ( Холодное оружие Донских казаков)," authored by O. Kulakov, M. Sarychev, M. Vorontsov, and A. Gvozdevich, on page 33.

The buyer will be provided with copy of the page from this book along with a certificate of authenticity.

CONDITION: In good condition, showing age and usage, with old patina.

MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 87 cm (34.25 inches).
Length of the head: 13.5 cm (5.31 inches).