#pallasch

[fiery-kitty]

Pallasch with scabbard (1610-1614)

Bavarian National Museum

The pallasch formed part of a larger ceremonial garniture that included additional weapons, horse tack, and a horse cover. It was possibly presented to Maximilian I by either Rudolf II or Matthias, both of whom resided in Prague.

Type: Pallasch, ceremonial weapon

Overall length: 100.0 cm

Blade length: 84.0 cm

Scabbard length: 84.7 cm

Width: 15.5 cm

Thickness: 4.0 cm

Origin: Prague and Passau (Bohemia / Bavaria)

Maker: Johann Michael

Material: steel (iron), silver, enamel, garnet, topaz, amethyst

Technique: gold damascening (gold inlay), partial gilding, engraving, enameling, stone setting

Decoration: richly decorated pallasch with a straight blade, of Hungarian cavalry tradition. Lavishly ornamented with colored enamel and gemstones, especially red almandine garnets, reflecting Ottoman-inspired fashion around 1600.

[blue-and-gilt]

1796 Heavy cavalry troopers sword by Dawes in original configuration (although the grip leather has been replaced).

When Major John Gaspard Le Marchant, proposed his new cavalry sabre design with his system of mounted swordsmanship; his intention was for his new sabre to be the universal sabre for the British cavalry (a concept that was 60 years ahead of it's time).

And while his sword was accepted as the 1796 Pattern light cavalry sabre, the officers of the heavy cavalry insisted on a straight bladed design. Falling back on his experiences with the Austrian cavalry in the Low Countries campaign (1793-95) he suggested a sword that was an almost direct copy of their model 1769 pallasch.

While an effective cutting sword, the hatchet tip of the 1796 HC, was not suitable for thrusting and in service these were often re-profiled to have a spear tip. Other changes included removing the langets and narrowing the guard on the inside to prevent wear on the uniform while wearing.

Like it's light cavalry counterpart, the 1796 Pattern sword was also exported to Britain's allies; Portugal and Sweden during the Napoleonic wars.

[armthearmour]

A broad Pallasch

OaL: 42.1 in/107 cm

Hungary, 16th century, housed at the Hungarian National Musuem.

[awallofswords]

My sword wall in its’ final iteration.

They are, starting with the left bottom:

Dutch m.1800 Light Dragoons NCO / Officer’s sabre. French An XI Light Cavalry Officers’ Sabre French Dragoons Officers Sword with ‘Garde de Bataille’ hilt. French AN XIII Cuirassier trooper’s sword. French AN XI Light Cavalry with ‘Chasseur a Cheval’ hilt.   Dutch m.1813 No.2 Light Dragoons trooper’s sabre. Dutch m.1814 No.3 Cuirasser trooper’s sword. Dutch m.1813 No.1 Light Cavalry troopers sabre. British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Yeomanry Officer’s Sabre. British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry trooper’s sabre. British 1796 Pattern Heavy Cavalry Officer’s dress sword. British non-regulation regimental Light Cavalry sabre. British 1796 Pattern Light Cavalry Officer’s sabre by H Osborn.

[sharpeningtheblade]

PALLASCH Straight, single-and short false-edged blade, tip, with fuller through almost all the length, with engraved on both facets the imperial, Austrian, double eagle at forte, surmounted with a crown. Brass hilt. Thin langets, angled guard (a detachment) in the upper part, shell-guard on the external part, with two arms joining to the guard. On the internal part a ring for the thumb ending in a second, smaller, shell-guard. Grip with the old leather covering and brass wire binding. Long, smooth cap (slightly detached). Later wooden, leather-covered scabbard with brass mounts. Four lugs.

Austria, late 18th Century length 99 cm.

CZERNY'S INTERNATIONAL AUCTION HOUSE S.r.l.

[demi-lancer]

Knights by Max Yenin

source: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pin/284500901443061092/

[blue-and-gilt]

French Carabinier or Cuirassier Officers’ sword with ‘Garde de Bataille’ style hilt

The 'Garde de Bataille' or 'Battle Guard' sword hilt is believed to have been inspired by German sword designs of the mid-18th Century. It is around this time that sword hilts which incorporate a clam shell into the guard start to appear on French swords.

It was adopted in 1784 for use by officers of the heavy cavalry (Cuirassiers, Carabiniers). dragoons and Gendarmerie. For a brief period a version with a curved blade was approved for officers of the light cavalry.

With the clam-shell guard, smaller counter guard, knuckle bow with four side branches the Garde de Bataille is a very distinctive hilt and one of my top two favorite sword designs of this era (the British 1803 Pattern being the other).

This sword carries a long, heavy Solingen made blade that closely resembles the blade of the AN XI Sabre of the line (Cuirassiers), including its' hatchet tip. The sword handles like the AN XI, that is to say it is large and cumbersome, suitable for a mounted charge, but not something for a melee brawl. Furthermore there are four piercings in the guard where an emblem such as the flaming bomb would originally have been attached. This would have given us a solid clue as to the officers' branch of service, but alas it is lost.

In time I hope to find a replacement scabbard and emblem for the sword, because it deserves to look as original as possible.

Comparison alongside my other Garde de Bataille showing the difference in size between the two:

Stats: Overall Length -  1,000 mm Blade Length -  945 mm Grip Length -  145 mm Inside Grip Length - 110 mm Weight - 1,050 grams Point of Balance - 160 mm

[armthearmour]

A bautiful gilt and turquoise decorated Pallasch,

OaL: 42.7 in/108.5 cm

Trnava, modern Slovakia, 17th century, housed at the Hungarian National Museum.