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A RARE POLISH SILVER-MOUNTED HUSSAR'S SABRE, POSSIBLY THAT OF GENERALS PULASKI OR KOSCIUSZKI, HEROS OF THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE

SILVER MAKER'S MARK 'MS' AND SILVER STANDARD MARK, CIRCA 1770-80

Details

A RARE POLISH SILVER-MOUNTED HUSSAR'S SABRE, POSSIBLY THAT OF GENERALS PULASKI OR KOSCIUSZKI, HEROS OF THE AMERICAN WAR OF INDEPENDENCE
Silver maker's mark 'MS' and silver standard mark, circa 1770-80
With curved slender fullered blade double-edged towards the point and etched with patterns of celestial masks and stars on both sides at the forte (small patches of light pitting), silver stirrup-hilt recessed for fitting over the scabbard mouth, formed with characteristic very slender double langets on each face, knuckle-guard widening towards the top and cast in relief with small rococo designs, wooden grip rising to a beak pommel and retaining its original ribbed leather covering, and studded with silver domed fluted nailheads (the pommel chipped slightly), in its original leather-covered wooden scabbard with large silver chape, middle-band and locket, the last two with suspension-ring, each decorated with further rococo designs cast and chased en suite with the hilt, and the silver mounts retaining traces of gilding throughout (the wooden back of the scabbard split along the length of the exposed lower section); sold together with a letter relating to this sword (2003), from Prof. Dr. Zdzislaw Zygulski Jr., the noted authority on Polish arms and armour and Curator of Arms and Armour at the Czartoryski Museum, Kraków.
29¼in (74.3cm) blade

Provenance

The sword was aquired by the present owner at a local estate auction near Saratoga Springs, New York.

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 15% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Sale room notice

Please note that the VAT applicable on this lot is payable at 5.001 on hammer price and at 17.5 on the buyer's premium

Lot Essay

Dr. Zygulski has expressed the opinion that the deluxe quality of this sword would limit ownership to a Polish hussar officer of senior rank. Such officers engaged in military service during the American War of Independence were naturally very few.

Zygulski goes on to name Tadeusza Kosciuszki (1746-1817) and Kazimierz Pulaski (1746-1779) each as likely owners of this sword. Both of these figures are well known for their distinguished military exploits in the service of the Continental Army. Both officers were active in the locality from which this sword was acquired. Kosciuszki is famed for his crucial part in the American victory at Saratoga in 1777.

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