SOLD Antique Hungarian sword of the second half of 16th century, blade-mounted with an 18th century Turkish Ottoman hilt.

Details: A long curved single - edged, sturdy, extremely well hand-forged, high carbonate steel blade, cut on each face, with a series of different lengths, wide and narrow fullers, a characteristic for the late 16th century Hungarian sabre blades. Finely etched at the forte, on the outer side of the blade, with a pattern of flowers and foliage surmounted by a perching bird. The forte, on the inner side of the blade, adorned with a matching pattern of flowers and foliage, but without the perching bird.

A similar foliage is etched on the 16th century Hungarian Pallasch sword from the Count Sámuel Teleki collection. Also, the fullers on the blades are made in a similar manner, except that the sword from the Count Sámuel Teleki’s collection is a Pallasch with a straight blade and this sword has a curved sabre blade.

During the 16th century many swords were custom made for Hungarian aristocracy as either a single saber, or as a hussar edged weapon set that consists of a broadsword, Pallasch, with a straight blade which was mounted to the saddle under the left, and sometimes the right knee, and a curved sabre, which was worn suspended from the belt. Both weapons usually had the blade made and engraved in the same style and matching mounting as the set of Pallasch and sabre, custom made for the prince of Transylvania János Kemény. Please see Arms and Armour by Ferenc Temesvary, No: XIV-XV. It is possible that this blade was custom made, together with the Pallasch blade from Count Sámuel Teleki’s collection, as a set for a Hungarian aristocrat and during the 18th century was remounted in a Turkish hilt.

There are no other known existing swords and blades decorated in this pattern in the world, except our sabre blade, and the Pallasch blade from the Count Sámuel Teleki’s collection; so, our blade is unquestionable very rare.

The hilt, in typical Turkish style is comprised of a grip with horn grip-scales, rising to a bulbous pommel, with a hole for the suspension tassel, bounded by a pair of shaped brass washers, and enclosed by fluted brass straps, and a brass crossguard with bud quillons.

There is a possibility that the sword was obtained by the Ottomans as war booty, and the 16th century hilt was replaced during the 18th -19th century as the newer type (a pistol shape Ottoman sword hilt) as it was customary at that time. Many 14th-16th century sword hilts, including medieval Mameluke sword hilts, were replaced by an 18th century pistol form Turkish hilt. These swords are published in the book, Islamic Swords and Swordsmiths by Ünsal Yüce, and in the book, The Arts of the Muslim Knight: The Furusiyya Art Foundation Collection by Bashir Mohamed.

REFERENCES:

1.Arms And Armour by Ferenc Temesvary, No: VI.

2. Waffenschätze und Prunkwaffen im Ungarischen Nationalmuseum by Temesváry Ferenc. Page: 45.

Please see the pictures attached to the listing.

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

CONDITION: The blade of the sword is in pristine condition considering its age of over 400 years, with minor wear. The 18th century Turkish Ottoman hilt is in very good condition.

MEASUREMENTS
Overall length: 94.5 cm (37.2 inches)

Length of the blade: 81.5 cm (32.09 inches)