 | This article possibly contains original research. (November 2021) |
| Turko-Mongol Sabre | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Type | Cavalry sabre |
| Place of origin | Eurasian steppes |
| Service history | |
| Used by | Mongol and Turkic nomads |
| Production history | |
| Designed | 8th–14th century |
| Specifications | |
| Length | 75–100 cm (30–39 in) (blade) |
The Turco-Mongol sabre, alternatively known as the Eurasian sabre[1] or nomadic sabre,[2] was a type of sword used by a variety of nomadic peoples of the Eurasian steppes, including Turkic and Mongolic groups, primarily between the 8th and 14th centuries.[3][4][5][6] One of the earliest recorded sabres of this type was recovered from an Avar grave in Romania dating to the mid-7th century.[7]
Although minor variations occur in size and hilt, they are common enough in design across five centuries that individual blades are difficult to date when discovered without other context. These swords were likely however, already influenced by swords used by others, such as the various Chinese swords.
These swords measured between 75 and 100 centimetres (30–39 in) in blade length and bore a gentle curve, leading to a pointed tip useful for thrusting. They were designed for use on horseback and neighboring peoples frequently encountered these blades at the hands of Turkic raiders.[4]
A common feature of the hilts was a bend just below the pommel. This is partly due to construction of the pommel and tang and partly a feature intended to aid a mounted warrior swinging the weapon at an opponent.[8] The hilt bore short quillions that often swept slightly forward, but could also be straight. Just after this, the hand guard on the forte of the blade, called a tūnkǒu (吞口) in Chinese, lay a feature typically of copper or iron.[4] This was made as a sleeve of metal to wrap around the blade, designed to aid the sword sealing into the scabbard. Some early tunkou of high status swords were gilded and decorated with patterns.[5] Later swords that descended from these blades bore non functional tunkou that were ornamental and at times just etched onto the blades.
- ^ "Eurasian". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. 4 September 2002. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ "Sabre with gold fittings". Nomadic Art. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
:3was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ a b c Tom, Philip M. W. (2001). "Some Notable Sabers of the Qing Dynasty at The Metropolitan Museum of Art". Metropolitan Museum Journal. 36.
- ^ a b Inkova, Mariela (2013). "A Medieval Sabre And a Knife from the Exhibition of the National Museum of History in Sofia". Acta Militaria Mediaevalia. IX: 63–88.
- ^ "Military sabers of the Qing dynasty". Mandarin Mansion. Retrieved 28 September 2019.
- ^ Cosma, Călin (2018). "Seventh- Eighth-century Swords, Sabres, and Backswords discovered in Transylvania, Maramureș, and the Romanian Banat". Slovenská archeológia. LXVI–1: 27–48.
- ^ Alexander, David (2001). "Swords and sabers during the early Islamic period". Gladius. XXI: 193–220. doi:10.3989/gladius.2001.86.