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Polish Miniature Sabres - Karabela

Karabela is the 18th century name for a Polish sabre modelled after Turkish weapons which appeared on the Polish lands in the 16th century. In the 17th century, it was a combat sabre perfectly suited for circular cuts.

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Description

A Polish sabre (szabla) is an Eastern European long one-edged melee weapon. It started to be used in Poland in the 15th century thanks to relations with Lithuania, Hungary and war contacts with Turkey, where sabres were very popular. A sabre consists of a blade and a hilt made of a grip and cross-guard quillions. A hilt may be open or closed with a hand guard. A one-edged bladed ended with a two-edged yelmen is responsible for the sabre's attack force. The cut is inflicted with a sharp edge of the blade. Due to Polish tradition and history, a sabre constitutes a particular symbol, which makes it a highly esteemed weapon. This miniature makes a perfect letter opener.

Karabela is the 18th century name for a Polish sabre modelled after Turkish weapons which appeared on the Polish lands in the 16th century. In the 17th century, it was a combat sabre perfectly suited for circular cuts. It was characterized by a considerable curvature of the blade which was frequently ended with a yelmen. Its open hilt with a wooden grip provided support for the thumb and the pommel shaped as an eagle's head constituted a support for the little finger. Such a construction of the hilt prevented slipping the sabre out of the hand. Karabela started being used as a ceremonial weapon during the reign of King John III Sobieski. It was when it also became a symbol of nobility. The hilts were frequently adorned with semi-precious stones and ivory and the blades were ornamented with inscriptions or allegorical scenes. Karabela is commonly considered a symbol of sarmatism.