Here is a rare 18th century Hungarian Aristocrat's Scimitar. It was fashioned from the Turkish Ottoman scimitar and the gold-gilded brass hilt has a scrollwork enclosing an expanded floral pattern chiseled in low relief, comprised of a cross-piece with bud-shaped terminals, a pair of langets, and an integral grip rising to form a bulbous pommel, retaining its original gold-gilded silver tassel. A curved single-edged Damascus steel blade with a watered pattern in its original old gild brass scabbard decorated over the surface with chiseled in low relief scrolling flowers and foliage on a punched ground, with large mounts comprising a pair of suspension mounts and large chape.
This sword is highly prized because of its appearance according to my opinion. Any suggestions?

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Thats a beautiful sword there. Sabers are my favorite sword and, as far as I'm concerned, the curvier, the better. I also really like that hatchet-point. Doesn't get much better than a heavily curved, hatchet-pointed saber. I'd rate it 9/10, only thing it needs for 10/10 is a slightly broader blade perhaps.

How do you like this one (shamelessly stolen from swordforum.com, Russian 1827 saber):

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You know Ian, to me that Russian sabre looks peculiar judging by its appearance. Many sabres don't have that kind of blade.

Ian: The first one shown has what I think the maximum amount or even the optimum amount of curve in a " using " sabre meant for use with a draw cut. A draw cut that just happens with no special effort and due 99% to the geometry of the blade.

It's also at the degree of curve that is still very good to look at. :D

I can almost see a very nice looking lady dancing with this really curved saber on her head.
Maybe that's what it's for? :D

Also take note of where the suspension rings are located on the scabbard of the Russian sword. This saber would be worn with the edge facing up.

Jonathan

I rather like sabers, though I prefer more modest curvatures to the blade. These shamshir-type swords have a tendency to be too curved to appeal to my sense of aesthetics, which is too bad as they are nice weapons otherwise.

To be exact, scimitars are not used for combat by aristocrats in Hungary but are used as their symbol of power like royals.

Not that it matters I suppose, but do you own this sword?
Your post doesn't make it clear (to me) that this is in your collection or in someone else's.
I ask because I wonder how it feels in the hand (and if it's locked up in a museum case you probably can't swing it around).
It is really a gorgeous blade.
Makes me itch to handle it...

Thomas, I don't own that sword. If you want that sword you can buy it at Hundred & One Antiques (www.antiques-arms.com)

(one thing, we call this kind of sword "szablya", or saber, not scimitar... ;) )
The other is, aristocrats (and anyone who had enough money for it, btw) did use these in combat, or to be more exact, mostly in duels. I'm too lazy right now, but if you wish, I can dig up some examples even from the 19th century, when these were worn like smallswords elsewhere, as a part of dress, but they used their sabers more often than others their smallswords...
(of course, there are exceptions and exceptions of exceptions, as always :lol: )

At last! We have found ourselves an expert on Hungarian swords. Perhaps Adam himself can tell us more about that sword.

Sadly I can't say much more... I'm absolutely not an expert, just wanted to add these bits of info, which most hungarians know from history classes... Last thing that may be interesting (or not), is that it looks exactly like most of the 19th century hungarian sabers from here.
If I was bothering anyone, feel free to delete my posts. :)