Antique Late 16th Century Polish Winged Hussar Sword Saber Batorowka

A rare authentic antique, dating from the late 16th to the first half of the 17th century, Polish - Hungarian sword saber "Batorowka.
Swords of this type are known in Poland as "Batorówka." This name comes from the fact that the first sabers of this style were introduced to Poland through Hungary during the reign of Stephen Báthory, who was the prince of Transylvania from 1576 to 1586 and served as the King of Poland and Grand Duke of Lithuania during the same period.
Polish and Hungarian hussars used this type of saber from the late 16th century until the middle of the 17th century. The Batorówka and karabela swords are the most famous and rarest Polish swords, and they seldom appear for sale.

DETAILS: The hilt of a typical Polish Hungarian Hussar sword features an iron crossguard with flattened terminals shaped like clover leaves. It includes a pair of long langets that form a cross and a ribbed wooden grip, which is covered with leather binding. The grip is securely fastened to the blade's tang ,using a rivet, which is held in place by domed rosette washers.
The tip of the blade's tang is hammered into the top of a flat, almond-shaped pommel cap. The crossguard and the pommel are connected by a finely handmade chain guard.

The steel blade is expertly hand-forged and sturdy, slightly curved, and single-edged. It includes three slender, full-length fullers that extend into a double-edged yelmen. The surface displays a fine welding pattern reminiscent of Damascus steel, historically referred to as "dziwir" in Poland during the 16th and 17th centuries. Additionally, the crossguard showcases a similar pattern.
Each face of the blade is deeply stamped with markings that resemble sickles, eyelashes, and small crescent moons. According to various references, the Genoese and Styrian swordsmiths created blades with these distinct markings during the 16th and 17th centuries, specifically for the Polish and Hungarian markets.
This is the only Polish saber I have encountered in over 50 years of experience in the antique arms and armor trade that features such a fine forging welding pattern, which is very similar to the pattern found in Islamic Damascus steel.

REFERENCES:
1. "Husaria Polska" (The Polish Hussars) by Zdzisław Żygulski jun. Page 110. Please see the penultimate photo attached to the listing.
2. "Arms and Armor Annual Volume 1" by Robert Held (The article "The Winged Hussars of Poland" by Zdzisław Żygulski jun.) Page.98.
Please see the last 2 photos in the listing.

We will also provide the buyer with photocopies of the pages from the mentioned references together with a certificate of authenticity.

PROVENANCE:

We acquired this sword together with other Polish antiques, including antique Polish arms and armor from the old Canadian collection, probably the largest in North America, built for over 40 years.

We have attached a photo showing this sword and other Polish swords from this collection (the 4th sword from the left side) to the listing. Please see the last picture in the listing.

Please view our store contents to see other rare objects from this collection.

MEASUREMENTS:
Overall length: 98 cm (38.58 inches).
Length of the blade: 85 cm (33.46 inches).
Width of the blade at the widest point of theyelmen: 4.1 cm (1.61 inches).

Weight: 902 grams.( 1.989 lb.)

CONDITION: Shows age and use. The blade is slightly pitted ,the cutting edge of the blade with combat nicks .However, in good condition, for approximately 400 years old combat sword.

To see all 18 pictures of the sword please see the link below:

https://www.antiquesword101.com/European-Arms-and-Armor.php#!/Antique-Late-16th-Century-Polish-Winged-Hussar-Sword-Saber-Batorowka/p/723104093/category=3736929

In my over 50 years of involvement in the trade of antique arms and
armour, antique Polish arms and armour from the 17th-18th centuries have always been considered the scarcest military antique objects, rarely appearing for sale and almost impossible to acquire.

Unfortunately, with the significant demand for the historical, 17th-18th century Polish arms and armour, many reproductions of the 17th -18th century Polish arms and armour have appeared on the American and European antique arms and armour, market including reproductions of swords, maces, war hammers, helmets, armour, including "Batorowka" swords.

Most of these reproductions are made by craftsmen in the USA, Poland, and Lithuania. These objects are, in many cases, very well made and professionally aged, corroded, and damaged to look old, and to inexperienced collectors, they look just like authentic artifacts. However, these reproductions have no historical or investment value.

This sword will be provided with a Certificate of Authenticity to ensure the buyer that it is a 100% authentic antique Polish sword from the late 16th - first half of the 17th century.