Szabla

Szabla is the Polish term for a family of curved, single-edged swords known in English as sabres. In Central and Eastern Europe, the szabla denotes a range of blades developed from earlier Middle Eastern sabers and adopted by Polish-Lithuanian and neighboring military forces from the late medieval period onward. The weapon is characterized by a strongly curved blade designed for chopping cuts, a single edge, and a relatively short, often ornate hilt. Blade lengths commonly fall in the 60–90 centimeter range, with a pronounced curve that favors slashing over thrusting. Guards range from simple quillons to complex knuckle guards; grips are typically wood, horn, or bone, sometimes wrapped in wire or leather.

Historically, the szabla became the standard cavalry and infantry weapon in Polish and Lithuanian armies from the 16th through the 19th centuries, feeding a distinctive military culture and aesthetic. The Polish karabela form, produced in the 17th–18th centuries, combined a long, slender blade with an ornate hilt and decorative scabbard for dress purposes, and is often singled out as emblematic of the szabla tradition. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, standardized military sabres were adopted for formal service, while lighter field models remained popular among various units.

Today, the szabla survives mainly as a historical and ceremonial weapon, collected and studied for its craftsmanship and regional styles, and as a symbol of Polish and regional martial heritage. Variants and styles exist across Poland, Lithuania, Ukraine, Belarus, and Hungary, reflecting a shared sword-making culture across Central and Eastern Europe.