Folia Historica 30. (Budapest, 2015)

II. KÖZLEMÉNYEK - Kovács S. Tibor: Magyar szablyák a 18. század második feléből

A 19. század elejétől az ókori művészetekből ihletet merítő francia Empire-stilus lett rendkívül népszerű, majd az 1810-es évektől a stílusfelújítások, vagyis a neobarokk, neorokokó stb. a magyar szablyaművességben is meghatározóak voltak. Ezek azonban már kívül esnek tanulmányunk időhatárán, s ezért a magyar szablyák előbbiekben említett típusaival már a következő kötetben fogjuk olvasóinkat megismertetni.

HUNGARIAN SABRES FROM THE SECOND HALF OF THE 18™ CENTURY

Summary

The Hungarian hussars became world-famous during the Austrian War of Succession in the second half of the 18th century.

At this time the Hungarian sabres gained wide popularity in Europa, which was associated with the introduction into European armies of hussars, light cavalry dressed and armed in the Hungarian fashion. The Hungarian officeTs hussar sabre, with its wide (usually 5 cm), curved blade adorned with motifs depicting the Sun, the Moon, stars and FRINGIA inscription or „Madonna Immaculata" (Virgin Mary). Its short, straight cross-guard ends in a button on one side, while the other one bends back to the pommel forming a protective clasp. Its hilt is covered with black, ribbed leather and sometimes metal wire. The scabbard is covered with gilt bronze plates, adorned with embossed baroque motifs. On the fig. 4 can be seen the famous Hungarian Royal Guard's sabre, which was made in the late of the 18lh century.

Queen Maria Theresia founded the Hungarian Royal Guard in 1760, as a sign of her gratitude, as Hungarians bravely fought by her side int he Austrian War of Succession. The 120 members and their costs were provided by the counties, so even sons of lower nobles could have a chance to serve at the Vienna court and may reach higher ranks. Between 1760 and 1849 more than 1200 young Hungarian noblemen served their average of five years in the Guard. There, apart from soldier training, they learned languages (French, German, Italian) and Hungarian law, as well as dancing and etiquette. The Guard's uniform used to be the most elegant Hungarian uniform up to 1918, when the Guard was dissolved. It consisted of a red hussar uniform with silver trim, a panther pelt pelisse a fur-lined cap and a hussar sabre, decorated with silver plates and coat of arms.

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