[Elling Polden]

Hi
I'm putting together a late 18th century kit, and are for that purpose looking for a sabre appropriate for a prussian Hussar, ca 1792.
Preferably a blunt usable for sparring, with a scabbard.

Thanks

[Matthew G.M. Korenkiewicz]

[Jonathan Hopkins]

The Polish Hussar site looks great, but the swords they offer are not very Prussian-looking to my eye. 18th and 19th century swords are not that widely replicated, so I am not sure what your options are since many of the replicas are focused on British and French military swords. Military Heritage (www.militaryheritage.com) offers an Austro-Hungarian Hussar saber that they date to the mid 18th century that might work for you. When I get home I’ll see if I can find you some images of late 18th century Prussian sabers.

Jonathan

ADDED: Here is an SFI discussion of a Prussian Hussar Saber c.1800:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t...ian+hussar

and another:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t...ian+hussar

and yet another:
http://forums.swordforum.com/showthread.php?t...ian+hussar

ADDED AGAIN: Here is the sword from Military Heritage: http://www.militaryheritage.com/hadiksword.htm

[Peter Bosman]

Strictly speaking the Hadik-sword was rather nót prussian was it not

Peter

[Jonathan Hopkins]

[Jonathan Hopkins]

The Prussians actually had a Model 1791 hussar saber. I will get an image up tomorrow. It is quite similar to the British Pattern 1788 light cavalry sword. Googling these patterns/models should get you some results, although I do not know of anyone who is reproducing these.

Jonathan

[Henrik Zoltan Toth]

Hi Elling

The two sabres on the left areprussian, the first from 1743, the other one is undated.

1. blade

lenght: 850 mm
b: 36 mm
curv.high: ?

hilt

l: 145

total l.: 995

2. blade:

l: 900
b: 37
c.h.: 48

h.l: 130

total l: 1030

Not the best qual. pics, but I have just a copy of the book.

Matthew, the common polish and hungarian names of the hussar armour is very interesting... f. e. karwasz = in hungarian: karvas ("arm iron", or armplate is english)

[Matthew G.M. Korenkiewicz]

Hi guys, my apologies for posting the Polish Hussar Supply site -- when Mr. Polden is looking
for a Prussian Hussar Saber. And thanks for following up, Henrik.

Doesn't Cold Steel's Prussian saber fit the bill ? Though, if I recall correctly, the date it
represents is in the early 1800's ... Still, all ya' gotta do is whisper hussar or saber around
me, and I'm on it ... B-)

[Jonathan Hopkins]

The Cold Steel Prussian Saber is supposed to be a Prussian M1811 "Blucher" saber, which was based on the British Pattern 1796 light cavalry sword. I do not think that the Cold Steel sword would be accurate for 1792, although it might be a close as you can get without going custom. Are there groups near you who are reenacting this time period? If so they may be able to help you. G. Gedney Godwin has a "dragoom saber" (#368) that is close, but unfortunately has a straight blade: http://www.gggodwin.com/swords.htm

Good luck!
Jonathan

[Elling Polden]

Thanks everybody!

At least I know what to look for now. Due to a somewhat limited budget, I'll probably end up with a close aproximation to start with.

Another question; Would 1792 prussian hussars use Miltrons or Shakos? could an officer get away with a fur cap?

[Jonathan Hopkins]

Uniforms are beyond my knowledge really, but I'll give it a shot. It looks like they were wearing shakos by 1805 or so: http://www.fortunecity.com/victorian/riley/78...ussar.html Here is some info I found on their uniform facings: http://www.napoleonguide.com/cavalry_prcolhus.htm Osprey have several titles that might cover your period of interest, including "The Army of Frederick the Great".

Although not curved, the sword from G. Gedney Godwin has a hilt that stylistically fits your requirements. However, the Cold Steel British 1796 and Prussian 1811 feature a curved blade that at this point in history distinguish hussars/light cavalry.

Jonathan

[Henrik Zoltan Toth]

I have 4 pics (paintings) showing prussian hussars in the 18 th century. I'll post them tomorrow.

I could post some pictures about hungarian hussars from 1792, most of the european h. regiments used the latest hungarian (austrian) hussar fashions :-) in that time.

[Elling Polden]

I've allready found the facings, and looked at the osprey covers... So, I know that the 7years war hussars used miltrons, and the 1806 ones used shakos, but not when they switched.

I am, of course, going for the 5th "black" or "deaths head" Hussars


I've found a reasonably cheap polish sabre. It is slightly different from the prussian one, mostly in having a shorter rear crossguard, and a opening in the handguard.
However, the blade is solid enough for real sparring, which is one of my requirements...

http://www.historicalmarket.com/index.php5?pa...44&c=0

[Henrik Zoltan Toth]

I couldn't manage to get the technic for the pictures:-), so I hope you trust me:-))) :

I got in a book some drawings from Eduard Kretschmar (about Hans joachim Ziethen, prussian hussar general)from Martin Engelbrecht (prussian hussars from 1750), and other paintings, mainly from the 18 th century about austro-hungarian hussars.

So, the hussars before the 1790-s were wearing mainly fur miltrons or on the side cutted tall, black felt caps.
After ca 1790 the privates and the officiers (until the captains )were wearing chakos, those of higher rank were wearing miltrons, but somewhere after the Napoleon wars the chako became common.

[Henrik Bjoern Boegh]

Hi Elling,

If you go for that Polish sabre can you please tell us what you think of it when it arrives? My brother is very interested in sabres and Polish stuff...

Cheers,
Henrik