Broadsword and saber difference. The difference between a checker and a saber. In popular culture

People often confuse sabers and checkers. However, it is obvious that these are completely different types of weapons, differing both in their design and various features combat use. By now, both types of weapons have managed to move into the category of ceremonial models, but some issues related to them remain relevant. First of all, discussions continue about the potential of the two types of blades. Sometimes disputants try to figure out which type of weapon is better, although everything has already been determined long ago.

It should be remembered that under the names of sabers and checkers a variety of bladed weapons can be hidden. Both types of blades have passed through many centuries big way, as a result of which a large number of weapons appeared with certain differences and a number of common features. It is probably for this reason that it is often not specific samples that are compared, but only their main features. However, such a comparison has both advantages and disadvantages.

Cold steel in the museum. Along the edges are sabers different types. Photo Vitalykuzmin.net

Historical blades

It is believed that the first sabers were created by Turkic gunsmiths around the 7th century AD. This weapon was actually a modified broadsword, which received a slight bend in the blade. The single-edged blade of a curved shape, having sufficient dimensions, was quite light, and thanks to this it showed certain advantages over the swords of that time. Such weapons were primarily intended for cavalry and in practice showed themselves to be a good tool for fighting foot soldiers.

At the turn of the two millennia, sabers became widespread and were used in armies. different regions. Warriors were among the first to master them Ancient Rus', and then such weapons fell into Eastern Europe and to the Middle East. As they spread, sabers changed. New operators intended to use such weapons in different branches of the military and for different purposes, which led to one or another modification of the appearance, including significant ones.

The development of sabers, aimed at optimizing their characteristics for various tasks, continued until the 19th century. Gunsmiths tried different blade configurations, created new versions of the hilt, and also experimented with the dimensions and weight of the weapon. As a result, a great many varieties of sabers appeared, each with its own appearance. Moreover, some subclasses are similar to each other, while others differ so much that they cannot immediately be recognized as related.

Russian saber from the mid-18th century. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Thus, European sabers of the New Age had a blade about 850-900 mm long and a bend of at least 30-40 and no more than 50-60 mm. Such weapons were used by infantry and cavalry. The navy, in turn, used the so-called. boarding sabers are weapons with a blade no more than 500-600 mm long and a powerful hilt that provides maximum hand protection. In general, a large number of historical varieties of sabers are known, which had certain differences due to the specifics of their use.

It is simply useless to list all the countries that were armed with one or another version of the saber. Such weapons were available in almost all armies that followed modern trends in weapons. Accordingly, sabers were regularly used on the battlefield and contributed to the course of many armed conflicts on almost all continents.

The first mentions of checkers date back to XII century, and again Turkic blacksmiths created promising weapons. As in the case of sabers, checkers subsequently developed and changed. The final appearance of the modern checker was established already in modern times. In the distant past, such weapons were used by some Caucasian peoples. Later, the saber came from them to the Terek and Kuban Cossacks. By the middle of the 19th century, such weapons officially entered service with some Russian structures. A few decades later, the saber appeared in the army, seriously displacing the saber. The role of the latter was significantly reduced, and in some cases it was now only a ceremonial weapon.

It should be noted that the replacement of sabers with checkers occurred only in Russia. Other countries continued to use existing saber designs, in some cases modifying and modifying them. Whether this was a consequence of the progressive views of the Russian command is a topic for a separate discussion.

American cutlass M1860. Photo Missouri History Museum / mohistory.org

Checkers managed to take part in all the major wars of the 19th century, and also found use in the battles of the last century. The last conflict with significant use of checkers - as well as bladed weapons in general - was World War II. By this time, the development of other types of weapons made blades, at least, not the most convenient and useful weapon. Subsequently, edged weapons finally passed into the category of ceremonial or award weapons without any chance of returning to their previous status.

Technical issues

During their existence, sabers and checkers were changed several times, which led to the emergence of a mass of subclasses and types of bladed weapons. As a result, direct comparisons between different samples can often be difficult. To simplify the search for an answer to the traditional question “which is better?” Often a comparison may be used not of specific samples, but of general features of the concept. For all its problems, such a comparison allows you to see the main differences between the weapons, and also understand why one of them gave way to the other.

By the time checkers were adopted in our country, European-style sabers were used - equipped with a relatively long blade with a significant bend. Such a weapon could have a total length of more than 1 m with a curvature of up to 50-60 mm. The weight of such a saber could exceed 1 kg. Most often, the saber was balanced in the middle of the blade, which made it possible to increase its chopping effect. Such weapons were intended for use by cavalrymen and foot soldiers of various types of troops.

Russian saber 1829. Photo Livrustkammaren / emuseumplus.lsh.se

The main feature of the saber, which distinguished it from weapons of older classes, was initially the bend of the blade. Due to this, the saber is capable of exerting both chopping and cutting effects on the target. During a slash, the bend causes the blade to literally slide across the target, resulting in a cut. An increase in curvature leads to an increase in cutting action, but at the same time reduces the cutting power. In sabers of different countries and eras, a similar balance of characteristics was used in their own way, which led to the appearance of weapons of different shapes.

Checkers of the 19th century were noticeably different from sabers, although they were to some extent similar to them. With the same dimensions and similar curvature - and therefore similar cutting and chopping action - they did not have a guard, and also differed in the configuration of the blades. The checkers usually did not have a pronounced point, but they did have a one-and-a-half sharpening. In addition, the center of gravity of the checker was shifted to the tip. Based on the speed and ease of use, the saber was often carried in a sheath with the blade up, which simplified the process of removing it and then applying a chopping blow.

One of the main differences between a checker and a saber is the method of its use in battle. The saber was intended both for striking and for protection from an enemy blade. This provided certain advantages, but to a certain extent made the fighter’s training more difficult. In the case of a saber, the use of weapons was reduced to piercing or chopping, while protection with a blade was not provided.

Checker handle 1846. Photo Livrustkammaren / emuseumplus.lsh.se

It was the ease of use, and therefore the ease of training a soldier, that became one of the reasons for the gradual abandonment of sabers in favor of checkers. Thus, a Red Army cavalryman had to master only four thrusts and three blows in different directions, after which he could effectively use his saber in battle. Full training in saber fencing would take much longer.

Logical replacement

At the end of the first third of the 19th century, in some army formations of the Russian Empire, the existing sabers were replaced with sabers. Further rearmament, however, was carried out quite slowly and took several decades. Only in 1881 was it decided to re-equip the bulk of the troops with checkers and replace sabers. The cavalry units, officer corps and artillery underwent rearmament. The number of sabers decreased sharply, and these weapons mainly retained their ceremonial role.

Different blades were intended for different types of troops, the configuration of which corresponded to the assigned tasks. First of all, the weapon differed in the length and curvature of the blade, as well as the number and location of the fullers. Also used different shapes and the materials of the handles, although their shape, in general, was common to all samples. Later, new melee weapons were replaced several times, but the saber remained the main weapon of the cavalry.

The reasons for the gradual abandonment of sabers in favor of checkers are well known. Already in the middle of the 19th century it became obvious that the main weapon modern armies is a firearm, and the cold one now plays a secondary role. Even when close, infantrymen had to use rifles and bayonets, and so the need for long-bladed weapons was reduced. At the same time, the cavalry still needed such means, and the specifics of its combat work made it possible to do without fencing skills. As a result, they decided to equip the cavalry, and after it other types of troops, with a saber that was easy to manufacture and master and fully met the existing requirements.

Checkers at the Victory Parade 1945. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

What's better?

When studying different types of weapons, the expected question always arises: which one is better? In some situations it does not make sense, while in others the wording of the question is more correct, taking into account the conditions for using weapons. This is exactly the situation when comparing a saber and a checker. And if we take into account the requirements, application features and other factors, it turns out that both classes of weapons are good in their own way.

The saber appeared many centuries ago, when the main weapon of a soldier was a long blade. With the help of a saber, it was possible to deliver various blows, and in addition, it helped to block or repel an enemy attack. The saber in its various forms was used in the infantry, cavalry and navy. By changing the configuration of the weapon, it was possible to obtain maximum combat effectiveness in the given conditions.

However for effective use the fighter had to spend a lot of time training his weapon. Preparing a swordsman capable of attacking and defending was a complex and lengthy process. This situation persisted for several centuries, until the emergence and widespread dissemination of fundamentally new weapons and related tactics.

Now long-bladed edged weapons of the army can only be seen at parades. Photo by the Russian Ministry of Defense

By the beginning of the 19th century, firearms were firmly established on the battlefield, and by the end of that century they had become the main weapon of all developed armies. Melee weapons, including sabers, faded into the background. In such a situation, lengthy training of a soldier in handling blades simply did not make sense: he should have been taught to handle a rifle, which led to obvious consequences. Edged weapons retained their potential only in cavalry, combat work which had its own characteristics. In addition, it could be used in some other structures that are not directly related to an open clash with the enemy army.

In the conditions of a sharp reduction in the number of battles with melee weapons, cavalry and other types of troops were able to choose weapons that were easier to produce and use. They became checkers of several varieties, which entered service in late XIX century.

It is not at all difficult to notice that sabers and checkers were used in different time and in different conditions. This allows us to assert that both of these classes of edged weapons have sufficient characteristics and are optimal for their conditions. While blades dominated the battlefield, the cutting saber remained in service, and the difficulty of mastering was compensated by the results of its use. In the future, the command considered it beneficial to switch to the checker.

The evolution of edged weapons lasted many hundreds of years and led to the emergence of a wide variety of models for various purposes, differing in characteristics and capabilities. During these processes, gunsmiths different eras and countries created a great many varieties of sabers, which remained in service until the recent past. However, in the case of the Russian army, sabers eventually gave way to checkers. Conditions changed, and the soldiers needed different weapons.

Based on materials from sites:
http://zonwar.ru/
https://swordmaster.org/
https://militaryarms.ru/
http://popmech.ru/
http://forum.guns.ru/

The saber was a common weapon in Russia in the 16th-19th centuries. Each variety has its own characteristics. The Cossack saber replaced other types of similar weapons. In the 19th century, it was the most common variant in Russia and the Caucasus. A saber of this type was also called Cossack saber. With the development of firearms and the abolition of metal armor, the combat saber was used by almost all warriors of the imperial Russian army. In conditions of combat, in which bullets could pierce the iron armor of a warrior, an attack using a Cossack saber became more than relevant. This was possible due to a number of characteristics and features of this type of edged weapon.

general characteristics

A Cossack saber is one that has a rather long blade. It was used in battle and served as an attribute of military clothing. Today such a saber is a valuable antique edged weapon. It makes it possible to understand the battle tactics of those times.

The original Cossack saber consists of a blade and a hilt (handle). The standard blade length reaches 1 m. It is single. But for combat they used 2-bladed weapons. The blade itself was slightly curved.

The hilt does not have a cross. At its end the handle bifurcates. May have a round tip.

It is the Cossack saber that is called a saber. In this case it's the same thing. But an ordinary saber is not equivalent to a checker. In the first case, wounds were inflicted only by chopping, and in the second, the possibility of stabbing and cutting was added. This is a feature of Cossack weapons.

There are two main types of checkers of this time: Caucasian and Asian. They have some differences. Cossack sabers also differ by year of manufacture.

Carrying and using a checker

The Cossack saber did not have a guard or a pronounced point. The curvature of the blade was minimal. All these factors determined its different balancing compared to a regular saber.

The saber was kept in a wooden sheath. Due to the method of its use in battle, the saber was positioned with the butt forward. The scabbard was usually covered with leather.

The saber was attached to the waist or shoulder belt. For this purpose, one or two rings were used, attached to the curved side.

In the dashing Cossack fun on the battlefield, one had to not only participate in battle, but also sometimes repel sudden attacks. Therefore, in the sheath it lay with the blade up.

The Cossack saber was easily snatched and did not require a change of hand. This is a convenient weapon. According to its characteristics, the saber can be compared to a samurai katana. They have a similar blade shape, as well as use and carrying.

Origin of checkers

The word "saber" is borrowed from the Circassian or Adyghe language, where such weapons were called "sashkho" or "seshkhue". Translated, this means “long knife.”

Circassian models differed from Russian ones. They were shorter and lighter. The ancestor of the Cossack saber of the 1881, 1904, 1909 model is a weapon of the 12th-13th centuries. Researchers found it in the Circassian lands.

This type of saber was first adopted by the Terek and Kuban Cossacks. They consider the saber a traditional part of a military costume. Already from the Cossacks, such weapons began to be used among lower and higher army ranks.

As a statutory saber, it was used by the cavalry, gendarmerie, police, and also among officers. To this day, dashing Cossack fun and military exploits are invariably presented in combination with a saber. You could say this is an attribute of the Cossacks.

Cossacks for a long time They used Turkish and Persian checkers for their weapons.

Until the mid-19th century, there were a lot of Caucasian type sabers. But the most popular, regulated saber of the Cossacks in 1834-1838 was the Asian-style saber.

It had a single-edged steel blade of a curved shape. The weapon had one wide fuller. The combat end was double-edged.

Its total length reached 1 m, and the blade - 88 cm. Its width was 3.4 cm. The Asian-style checker of 1834-1838 had a curvature of 70/395 mm. This weapon weighed about 1.4 kg.

The Asian officer's saber had decorations on the hilt and scabbard. Similar weapons was assigned to the lower and highest army ranks of Nizhny Novgorod and Seversky, as well as sergeants of the Plastun battalions and local teams of the Kuban Cossack army.

Later they were approved as military weapons in the Tver, Pereyaslav, Novorossiysk Dragoon Regiments.

model 1881

After the defeat of the Russian Empire in Crimean War(lasted in 1853-1856) there was an urgent need to carry out reforms in the army, starting from the very higher levels management. This process was managed by the head of the Military Ministry D. A. Milyutin. After his resignation in 1881, reform of the army ceased.

The establishment of a single type of weapon was carried out in the same year. All other types of bladed weapons were abolished, and a single type of saber was introduced for cavalry, dragoon and infantry troops.

Very quickly the Cossack saber of 1881 became the most widespread piercing weapons in the Russian army. They were of two varieties: for lower ranks and for officers.

The geometry of the weapon made it possible to inflict deep, severe wounds. This feature became the reason for choosing this saber as a single model in the Russian army.

Cossack saber of the lower ranks (1881)

The soldier's saber had a total length of 102 cm. Its blade was standard 87 cm, and its width was 3.3 cm. The weight of the weapon was 800 g. The handle had a straight shape with a sharp bend at the end. It was made of wood and had deep inclined grooves. For technological reasons, the lanyard hole was shifted down towards the stop.

The scabbard did not have a bayonet mount. It was not intended for Cossack carbines. However, some regiments were issued a scabbard with a closed bayonet block at that time. By 1889, Asian-type checkers were issued to all lower ranks. This exemplary weapon is called the Cossack saber, original from 1881.

Officer's saber 1881

In 1881, the General Staff of the War Department issued Circular 217. It stated detailed description officer's saber. According to this document, the blade and hilt of the weapon were described in detail. Their components were specified down to the smallest detail.

The blade consisted of fighting end, middle part, heel and lower thickened rib (butt) and upper blade. The part of the blade that is intended for chopping is called febel, and for repelling blows is called forte.

The center of the blade is located at a distance of 0.25 arshins, measured from the tip. The fullers on the blade end there.

The hilt consists of a nut, a head, a handle, its back and front rings, a bow and a leather ring.

The handle is made of wood called backout. Sometimes other breeds were used for these purposes.

Antique edged weapon of the 1881 model has cross section in the middle part in the form of a tetrahedron with rounded corners. At the ends it has an oval shape. The back of the handle is slightly thicker than the front.

Materials

The blade of the presented type of weapon was a “doll” made of steel. A variety of materials were used to make the hilt. The back ring was made of copper with gold plating. This element had an oval shape. At the top there was a slot for the bow. The front ring is also copper and gold plated.

The nut located inside the hilt can be steel, copper or iron. It is screwed onto the tail of the blade very tightly.

The head of the handle is copper with gilding. It looks like a corolla. The bow is made from the same material.

The ring, pinched between the hilt and the back section of the heel, is made of leather. Cossack weapons of those times were made from the listed materials for both soldiers and officers.

The difference between a soldier's and an officer's saber of the 1881 model

Both lower and higher ranks used almost the same type of edged weapons. The blade was no different. The difference was in the technology of attaching the handle.

The bushing located at the top and the handle were attached to the tang of the blade with three rivets. Therefore, two veins were cut into the wooden base from the top to its middle. They were beaten off along with the tip. The middle rivet was driven through them.

In the officer's saber, due to a change in design, the lanyard hole was located higher than in the soldier's version of the saber. It was located on the midline of the handle.

However, the Cossack saber of the lower ranks was distinguished by its simplicity of fastening. Over time, officers' edged weapons began to be manufactured using the same technology.

Saber of the lower ranks, model 1904

The Cossack saber of the lower ranks was similar to the previous model. However, there were some differences. A characteristic feature of such weapons was the application of abbreviations by etching. They were located on inside blade and looked like this: “TKV” (Terek Cossack Army). On the other outer side of the blade there were also the letters “ZOF”, which stood for Zlatoust Arms Factory. The year of issue of the checker was also indicated here. This became a feature of the Cossack saber of the 1904 model.

The scabbard was wooden, covered with leather. Combat saber was recessed into them up to the head of the handle thanks to the socket at the top of the wooden case.

The weapons of the lower ranks of the 1904 model weighed 1 kg. Its total length is 92 cm, and the blade is 74 cm. The width of the blade reached 3.5 cm.

This saber was adopted by the Caucasian Cossack troops for soldiers. Later it was slightly improved. But the general appearance remained virtually unchanged.

Officer's saber, model 1909

General Staff Circular 51 dated March 22, 1909 introduced changes to the description regulations officer's checkers. The golden edged weapons of the highest army ranks and sabers with the Order of St. were left in their previous form. Anna 4th degree. All that was added was the decoration on the booth and the back ring.

Officer's sabers of the 1909 model had no differences from the previous type of weapon in the blade area, except for the location on the outside of the blade named after the Sovereign Emperor. On the other side was the coat of arms.

The back ring was decorated with laurel branches, as well as the raised name of the Emperor. There were also decorative borders. The head of the handle was decorated in the form of a vignette.

Later other samples were developed, but in post-war years(after World War II) such weapons were abolished. The saber became a ceremonial attribute of the army, as well as an integral weapon of the Cossacks.

Today these are award sabers. Receiving it is considered very honorable for military officials. You can wear a saber only with permission, like any similar products. After all, this is a formidable military weapon.

Considering such a bladed weapon as a Cossack saber, you can delve deeply into military organization past times. In its own way, it was a formidable tool on the battlefield. With the regulation of this particular weapon, reforms and transformations in the Russian imperial army began. It was widespread and was available to both ordinary soldiers and officers. Today it is an integral attribute of the Cossacks, which acts as a symbol of military honor and valor.

The time when the curved saber blade appeared on the battlefields has not been recorded by anyone. But it is known that sabers first appeared on the territory of modern Iran and Turkey; these were the early varieties of these weapons, the kilych and the shamshir saber. After the Crusaders, these blades became widespread in Europe. They appeared in Rus' with trade guests and received excellent praise from the soldiers.

It should be noted that not only the Turks and Europeans appreciated the cutting power of the curved blade, Far East I went my way as usual. That's where they appeared. The famous katana and Chinese dadao, these swords with a curved cutting surface were developed in the countries of the east.

Design

The classic saber had a slightly curved blade up to 850-900 mm long, the bend could be up to 50-70 mm, sharpened on the convex side. The upper third of the blade, up to the tip, was called elman; some sabers on elman had additional sharpening.

Along the blade part of the weapon there were valleys, which are sometimes called blood flows, although in reality they played a completely utilitarian role as stiffening ribs. The back of the blade was called the butt.

The Polish saber was already different from the eastern ones in its bend.

Later changes affected the hilt. European weapons had a full-fledged guard with a bow or several bows. The handle itself is in the form of an oval or ellipsoid in cross-section on the same axis as the blade. The butt plate usually had a hole for a lanyard.

The following types of sabers were distinguished by type of activity:

• cavalry, with a long blade and an indistinct tip;
• infantry, shorter blade, simplified handle;
• sea ​​or boarding, usually pronounced elman, strongly curved blade, developed tip, most often closed handle.

General form the blade was highly dependent on the conditions of its use. In addition to the statutory samples, noble officers often bought themselves more expensive, and therefore durable, blades made of Damascus steel or damask steel.

Evolution

The appearance of the saber was most likely due to the development of armor. The entire evolution of weapons is an endless competition of strike and defense. The long straight blade of the sword lost the battle to plate armor and was replaced by narrow broadsword blades and curved saber blades.

The main difference from straight sword this was exactly what happened, the curved blade was lighter, but at the same time it inflicted deeper wounds due to the bending of the blade.

In addition, this blade made it possible to use it in fencing, while heavy ones were poorly suited for this.

Curved blade made it possible to cut off the tip of a spear during an attack, required less steel for production, and besides, it was simply more convenient. They first appeared in the East, the Turkish saber - klych and the Iranian shamshir are the most famous at present.

When removing it, it is enough to pull it and the checker itself falls into the palm, while the saber is taken out with the hand overlapping. The second difference is in balancing; the saber is not only intended for chopping, it was created as a combined weapon.

For this reason, the balance of the saber is shifted towards the hilt, even in weapons with a developed and heavy hilt.

The center of gravity of the checker is shifted to the tip, this is done so that when chopping, the weight of the blade is also included in the force of the blow.

The third is a purely visual difference. The checker always has an open handle without a cross or guard. The checker blade is not intended for thrusting and for this reason often has a rounded or blunted tip.

In popular culture

Sabers are used in many games, for example, in the world of WOW there is a very light saber; in the browser game “War Banner” there is a type of saber called the karabela. The saber is mentioned in many literary works and films.

In epics, proverbs and sayings. There is still a proverb in Tula: “marry a blacksmith, you will walk around and wave a saber,” in fact, this meant a real situation when the wives of blacksmiths-gunsmiths went out into the street waving red-hot blade blanks, cooling and hardening them.

Cutlass is praised by Sabbatini and Stevenson. Many children still portray Captain Blood, holding a wooden saber in their hands. In addition, many remember the times of the Union and the legends about the red cavalry, although the saber still played the main role there.

Replicas of mild steel sabers are still sold today; many people decorate their homes with collections of edged weapons.

The presence of a saber and checker on the carpet in the living room greatly decorates the interior of the house. At the same time, blades made of Damascus and damask steel are also sold, or rather with a pattern imitating them.

Video

The checker and saber are one of the most ancient types of bladed (piercing-cutting and cutting-piercing) weapons, which were used in our country in almost all types of troops. This ancient weapons There are many books and articles devoted to the difference between a checker and a saber. However, despite this, at the everyday level, a saber is often confused with a saber and a saber is often called a saber and vice versa. In foreign literature and the press, the saber is even called a “special type” of saber and is not distinguished as a separate type of edged weapon, which is fundamentally wrong. We propose to dot all the i's and, finally, figure out what the main differences between a checker and a saber are.

So, first, the saber is much older than the checker. The first mentions of the saber date back to the 7th century. The saber appeared, as noted above, in the East and was one of the main types of weapons of the Turkic peoples. In fact, the saber was a kind of broadsword - one might say, a more improved one (with a noticeable bend
blades) version. At the same time, the saber appeared later - in the 12-13th century in the Caucasus. For many years, the saber was the main melee weapon of the peoples of the Caucasus.

The very word “checker” (from the Adyghe “sashkho” - “big long knife”) was first used in relation to weapons even later - in the 17th century. It is noteworthy that initially the saber was used as an auxiliary weapon (always came after the saber), but over time the saber replaced the saber, becoming the main weapon, first in the Caucasus, and later throughout Russia.

Age, however, is not the only difference between a checker and a saber. The main difference lies in the design of the weapon and functionality. One of the main differences between a checker and a saber has always been a scabbard made of natural wood, always covered in leather with a metal ring (one, less often two).

Unlike a checker, a saber was usually sheathed in steel. Another important point - in the case of a saber, the rings are located on the concave side of the scabbard, with a saber - vice versa. It was customary to wear a saber on a belt belt, and a saber on a shoulder belt. Another important difference is the degree of bending of the weapon’s blade. The blade of a checker is less curved compared to a saber. In addition, a checker is a cutting-and-piercing weapon, and a saber is a piercing-cutting weapon. A saber, unlike a checker, has a handle with a guard, and the centers of gravity of the checker and saber are located differently. And finally, the last thing - a checker is shorter than a saber. The maximum length of a checker is 88 centimeters, a saber - 110. The difference is obvious.

Remembering these simple differences:

Handle device

Blade bend,

Scabbard and arrangement of rings on the scabbard, as well as the purpose of the weapon

Purpose of the weapon

in the future you are unlikely to confuse a checker with a saber either in a store (if you suddenly want to buy a checker or purchase a saber as a gift) or in a museum.

Among various types edged weapons, the saber occupies one of the leading positions. All types of sabers are distinguished by a characteristic curve of the blade. Currently, saber fencing, saber dancing, and simply collecting various types of sabers are very popular. Sabers are unique look edged weapons, they were the ones who were able to last the longest as weapons of some military formations.

What is a saber and how to distinguish it from a sword

Even if you have only seen a dance with sabers, this weapon should be familiar to you from childhood games of Cossack Robbers or from films about the First World War. Indeed, the blade of a saber is difficult to confuse with any other weapon.

A saber is a cutting weapon, and many types of sabers allow piercing blows. The saber handle is adapted for a one-handed grip, and the saber blade is on the convex side. Due to this blade shape, best views sabers not only cut, but also, as it were, cut through an obstacle that is encountered in the path of the blade.

There are many types of sabers, which differ from each other in the following parameters:

• Blade length;
• The shape of the blade bend;
• Various handle shapes.

Any type of saber differs from a sword in the location of the center of gravity. In sabers, it is located at a considerable distance from the handle and is located between the first and second third of the blade (if the tip of the blade is taken as the first part). This feature The balance of the blade makes a good saber an ideal weapon for delivering slashing blows with a cutting effect. Naturally, delivering this type of strike requires many hours of training on a dummy.

A curved saber significantly increases not only the force of the blow, but also the affected area. Since saber blades must have elasticity and toughness, the production of light sabers became possible only with the development of metallurgy technologies.

The main differences between a saber and a sword are:

• The total weight of the weapon (mostly sabers are lighter, since they were, as a rule, weapons of horsemen);
• The presence of curvature of the blade (although there are sabers with a straight blade, for example a straight broadsword saber);
• Sabers are distinguished from swords by different fencing techniques;
• The saber handles are designed for a one-handed grip (although the famous Japanese katana although it is called a sword, it is essentially a type of saber);
• The blades of sabers are sharpened only on one side, whereas the blades of swords are usually double-edged.

The first sabers appeared in the east among nomadic peoples around the 6th-7th century, although the first bladed weapon resembling a saber (more like a broadsword with a straight blade) was found already in the 5th century. The combat saber is a direct descendant of the long cavalry sword, which, as a result of evolution, first acquired a one-sided sharpening (broadsword), and then a characteristic curve of the blade (a typical eastern curved saber).

The first types of sabers had a slight curvature, which made it possible to deliver piercing and cutting blows. Since the 14th century, yelman (a thickening at the end of the blade, allowing for stronger and more concentrated blows) appears on sabers. A bright representative The saber of this period is the classic Turkish saber. Eastern sabers of that era were distinguished by the incredible quality of the blade and the beauty of the external decoration. All the legends that were brought by English and French knights after the Crusades relate specifically to this eastern weapon (Turkish saber). The curved saber of the eastern types had a curved hilt, which ended with a characteristic pommel (although the types of hilts could differ significantly from each other). A curved saber with such a blade was not intended for piercing blows.

The difference between the saber, which was used in Europe in the 17th and 19th centuries, was the lesser curvature of the blade. The hilts of sabers of that era were massive enough to reliably protect the hand from damage during fencing. The last sabers that remained in service with European troops in the 19th century were distinguished by even less curvature of the blade, which is perfectly demonstrated by the best blade of this period - the saber.

Variety of saber types

The evolution of sabers with a curved blade began from the time when nomadic tribes began to improve the Roman sword spatu. Several centuries passed before the saber took on the familiar form. Although even during the times of ancient Egypt there were special types bladed weapons that resembled sabers.

Models of sabers from antiquity to the beginning of the 20th century:

1. The first weapon, the curved part of the blade of which vaguely resembled combat sabers, was the Egyptian kopesh. Most scholars classify these ancient blades as scimitars (Janissary saber), although kopesh can just as easily be classified as battle sickles. Only elite warriors of the Egyptian army had a curved blade of this weapon, which is explained by the complexity of manufacturing. The kopesh, as a rule, was made of copper or bronze, so several well-preserved copies of this weapon have reached us;
2. One of the first prototypes of sabers is the Turkish scimitar. Although scimitars gained popularity only in the 16th century, at first glance they can be recognized as an improved model of the Greek falcata sword. The handle of the saber was made of bone, devoid of any guard. This Turkish weapons has significant weight, and the specific sharpening (concave, in the shape of a “falcon wing”) made it possible to easily chop off the heads and limbs of the enemy;
3. The best weapon of the heavy cavalry of the 18th century is considered to be the broadsword, which is a kind of hybrid of a saber and a sword. The field of combat use of this weapon is extremely wide. They can deliver both piercing and slashing blows. In addition, the broadsword has a massive hilt, which perfectly protects the warrior’s hand;
4. Cutlass were also extremely popular in the 16th to 18th centuries. They were simplified models of European military sabers. The naval saber was quite short, and the developed guard protected the hand well;
5. Speaking about sabers, one cannot fail to mention the saber. Checkers are the last long-bladed weapon that was in service with the army until the mid-20th century.

Russian saber from the times of Kievan Rus

On the lands Kievan Rus sabers were used along with swords. If swords were dominant in the northern regions, then sabers were actively used by Russian warriors in the southern regions, which were often attacked by steppe nomads. Of course, a sword or an ax is an excellent (and traditional) weapon of Russian knights, but in battles with light steppe cavalry, armed with sabers and dressed in light leather armor, these Russian weapons were ineffective.

Already in the 9th century, the princes began to arm their squads with sabers in order to give the Russian cavalry the opportunity to fight on equal terms with the dexterous steppe inhabitants. Due to the fact that these weapons were very expensive, only princes, governors and their squads were armed with sabers. Seeing the effectiveness of this weapon in skirmishes with the steppes, the princes of the northern lands also armed their warriors with sabers.

Sabers in Rus' of the 9th-12th centuries were quite massive and had a curved handle. Often a lanyard was attached to it, for which a hole was provided in the handle.

Cossack sabers 15-18 centuries

The first mentions of the Cossack army date back to the 15th century. Cossack culture is closely related to weapons, especially sabers. The Cossack saber of the 16th century was either a copy of the Kievan Rus saber, or a Turkish “klych” type saber, which were captured in military campaigns or bought from the Turks or nomadic peoples.

The Persian saber shamshir, which was often made of Damascus or damask steel, was considered the best. Only rich Cossacks could afford such a saber, and even those most often took them in battle. The so-called “Adamashka” was also considered a very valuable saber. This word was used to describe all curved oriental sabers made of Damascus steel.

The saber was considered the main attribute of a free Cossack, so it was carefully kept and passed down from generation to generation. The Cossack saber fighting technique was honed in constant skirmishes with nomads, and later polished in battles with the Polish army.

If you don’t count shamshir, then most of Cossack sabers of that time were designed to deliver both chopping and piercing blows. Most saber handles were decorated with images of animals or birds, which served as a kind of amulet for the warrior.

Polish sabers 15-18 centuries

Polish sabers began to gain popularity starting in the 15th century. Before this, Poland was an ardent supporter of the use of heavy swords. Since the main enemy of the Poles - the Teutonic Order - was defeated, and firearms gained enormous popularity, the use of heavy armor and swords became irrelevant.

The first to use sabers were representatives of the Polish gentry and soldiers of the hussar regiments. The Polish saber (which was almost a complete copy of the Hungarian one) came in handy for the hussar cavalry.

The Hungarian saber in the hands of the Polish nobles turned into an object of "honor". Initially, these weapons were imported from Hungary, but soon began to be manufactured in the Polish state, eventually glorifying the Polish weapons school.

The hussar saber appeared in the 16th century, and became widespread in the 17th; it is the heaviest Polish saber. Its feature is a massive guard, which perfectly protects the hand. The hussar saber was a multifunctional weapon, indispensable for a professional warrior.

Review of French sabers from the Napoleonic Wars

The era of the Napoleonic Wars was marked by radical reforms in military affairs. Naturally, it also affected the edged weapons of the French cavalry. Those sabers that were in service with the cavalry before the reform were too curved, which made it difficult to deliver piercing blows, which were indispensable in close combat.

In 1806, light cavalry sabers were replaced with new models. The guard of the new sabers began to be equipped with two more protective bows on the side, which made it possible to make the protection of the hand more advanced.

As a result of innovations, the French saber received a new, less curved blade, which was perfectly adapted for both piercing and chopping blows. The point was shifted from the line of the butt to increase the piercing qualities. The blade itself was additionally sharpened near the tip on the butt side.

Cutlass

The cutlass appeared in the 16th century, when brutal naval battles became commonplace. Before their appearance, pirates and sailors used ordinary bladed weapons, but the specifics of naval combat required short and strong weapons. At first, sailors used heavy cutlasses, from which the cutlass evolved.

Since most pirates and sailors were ordinary people, the art of fencing was very far from them. The principle of action of a boarding saber was similar to a simple cleaver, which was familiar to former peasants and townspeople. In order to learn how to wield a cutlass, it was enough to take several lessons, since the entire fighting technique consisted of delivering powerful blows with a wide range of motion.

The cutlass is a short, but wide and heavy blade. Since in naval battle different situations arose, a massive boarding saber could not only howl as a weapon, but also be used to cut through doors. In addition, the massive guard perfectly protected the owner’s hand and could be used as a brass knuckle.

A cutlass could even be blunt; the wide blow, combined with the weight and width of the blade, would still inflict fatal wounds. Naturally, good fencers did not use cutlass, since they were practically unsuitable for fencing.

How is a saber different from a checker?

In 1881, all sabers that were in service with the Russian army were replaced with checkers. Since firearms made armor useless, there was no need for heavy saber blades, and an unarmored warrior could be cut in half with a light saber (which is what some highlanders did). Sabers remained in the army only as an element of the dress uniform.

One of the main differences between a checker and a saber is complete absence on the checkers there is a guard protecting the hand, since they did not fencing with a checker, but chopped. If two opponents met in battle, then parrying blows with a saber was out of the question. In battles, the Cossacks deflected and dodged enemy blows, choosing the moment to deliver a quick and clear slashing blow.

The Cossacks got the saber (which translates as a long knife) from the highlanders, who wielded them masterfully and managed to kill a Cossack with one blow while he was taking out a heavy saber.

Officer's dress saber

Officers' dress sabers gained popularity after the First World War. In many countries, many ceremonial elements have appeared; the ceremonial officer's saber is one of them. The officer's dress saber was very popular among the highest ranks of the Wehrmacht. IN Soviet army instead of a saber there was an officer's saber.

Since the officer's saber is an element of the ceremonial costume, it has more of a decorative role. In terms of combat qualities, a ceremonial saber is as effective as a blunt training saber. But great importance is attached to the external decoration of the hilt and sheath.

Thanks to military traditions, ceremonial sabers and checkers can be seen at military parades in many countries around the world.

World Saber Championship

For the first time, the World Championship (WCH) in saber (although it began to be called the world championship only in 1937) was held in 1921 in France. The World Saber Championship was declared a European tournament, since the participants were medalists from various European countries.

After 1937, when the World Saber Championship received official world status, it began to be held every year, with the exception of the year in which the Olympic Games fell.

Author of the article:

I am interested in martial arts with weapons and historical fencing. I am writing about weapons and military equipment, because it is interesting and familiar to me. I often learn a lot of new things and want to share these facts with people who are interested in military issues.