Weaponedge: Austrian 1760 Hadik Hussar Saber
Jan 24, 2010 16:45:24 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jan 24, 2010 16:45:24 GMT
Weaponedge : General Andreas Hadik ( Austria ) 1760 Commemorative Hussar Saber
Introduction: I’ve previously posted a review of the three French Imperial Guard swords put out by Weaponedge. At the time I bought those Rob Stanford was still marketing out of Australia or I just didn’t know he’d set up shop in Austin Texas. Guess when I started to read into the SBG forum I found out he was here and offering cut rate deals to anyone willing to buy in to Weaponedge products. I contacted him beginning of August expressing interest in 5 swords. That’s when he hit me with the carrot that if I was willing he would give me a wholesale discount if I spent 1K up front for as many swords as it took to do so. Cool. I asked for the 1804 Fr Cuirassier, Br Officer Spadroon, Br 1796 Enlisted Heavy Cav, Br 1803 Infantry Officer, Br 1845 Officer Life Guards, Br 1897 Infantry Officer, Br 1908 Enlisted Cav and 1912 Officer Cav.
Deal was made 2 Aug, with an expected delivery in 10-12 weeks. It took twice that time. At one point I sent a politely aggravated email to Weaponedge and got a serenely pleasant reply to hold my water. Stanford got his shipment in Austin, Texas on 30 December. Eight crates of swords and not a single flippin 1912 Br Cav Officer in the lot. Rob said I he could either reorder the 1912 or I could have anything else in his inventory as an exchange. So I wound up with the Field Marshall Hadik Saber (Austria). UPS delivered all eight on 13 Jan 2010.
Historical Overview
This commemorative for Count Hadik von Futok is an archetypal period piece. Hadik ( 1710-1790 ) was a member of minor Hungarian gentry who entered Austrian service in 1732 and fighting through the many monarchial flare ups of the period rose to general by the time of the Seven Years War. His great claim to fame was a 1757 classic raid on Berlin in which he pushed a force, primarily composed of Infantry, a blistering 30 miles a day and surprised the garrison of Frederick the Great’s Capitol. It was one of the few redeeming moments of the war for Austria and Hadik remained in high cabinet offices until retirement. The painting of Hadik was made when he was 72, a quarter century removed from his cavalry days.
Initial Impressions: I already have those French Imperial Guard sabers. First blush this looks like a reprise of the French light, with an equally blockie but much more ornate scabbard. Finish is high gloss, but close examination of the furniture shows the metal work to be rough cast; there is a lot of small flash marks and cracks in the brass and leather work. ( These aren’t really serious faults I’m talking about here; just rough work that you don't notice till you put your nose to the weapon. ) Leatherwork looks a tad better than the older swords. Blade looks very good.
Statistics Hadik Saber
Blade Length 33
Handle Length 4
Overall Length 39
Blade Width 1in 3/8h
Point of Balance 8 1/4ins
Percussion Point 21ins
Sword Weight 2lbs 5oz
Scabbard Weight 2lbs 9ozs
Components:
The Blade: The Light Saber is a well curved, flat backed with a long fuller out to about 8 inches from the tip. There is about 6 inches of back edge on the weak side of the blade. The blade is etched on both sides with period drawings of the sun, moon, and arm of God. There is a commemorative etching in Latin to Hadik on one side of the blade. The Latin reads ( adlibbing the medieval and german contexts), “ Lieutenant General Andreas Hadik, unexcelled in counsel and unequalled in war”.
The Handle: All handles are wood core and leather wrapped. There are two decorative pins attached to the handle which may or may not serve a function.
The Guard: Many of the sabers of the period are austere. The guard of the light cav is a simple knuckle bow. The type employs functional double langets which act as tynes to grip the scabbard and hold the weapon in place.
The Pommel: The light saber employs an upper case plate from handle to pommel. Weapon is peened.
The Scabbard: All the scabbards are wood cored with brass cases. There are leather inserted ports of different designs for each weapons. The drag on the type one heavy is brass. The brass plating is ornately covered, completely in a swirl pattern.
Handling Characteristics: The light saber is blade heavy for percussive effect. The short hilt and extreme blade endedness drive the slash. This works well as the overall weight of the saber is well within the acceptable range of 2.5 pounds.
Test Cutting: I was told these would be delivered sharp, except for the British 1897. None of these weapons arrived sharpened. They are at best military edged for final sharpening, rather than blunted or stage swords.
Conclusions:
Pros:
Good reproduction, with excellent sword handling characteristics
Fit and finish is generally good
Economic access to modern period swords
Cons:
Typical 4 inch short handle.
Brass maintenance: You’ll come to luv Never Dull
Questions about metal durability
The Bottom Line:
This is one of the newer swords in the Weaponedge catalog. It’s one of their more expensive offerings; which is kind of a joke as it’s only $280. The level of detail and the quality of the sword is a steal at the price. Based on the Napoleonic swords I expected some bloat. What I got is a pleasant surprise.
The swords were ordered for 1050 carbon steel. I can’t tell if that’s what was delivered. Questions of this sort persist about the company.
Hopefully the 5 month delay for production was an aberration for a small, growing business. Since my first look at Weaponedge I’ve noted three more international sellers have started promoting them. They certainly aren’t the most accessible, business oriented group you’ve met in the sword community. ( Clumsy web sites, a reluctance to answer e-mail and territoriality seems their norm. )
Will I do this again? Yes. Weaponedge has already released at least 4 new British swords. I’m hooked. I would rather beat on a recreation than a 125 year old original that costs $800 - $4000.
Introduction: I’ve previously posted a review of the three French Imperial Guard swords put out by Weaponedge. At the time I bought those Rob Stanford was still marketing out of Australia or I just didn’t know he’d set up shop in Austin Texas. Guess when I started to read into the SBG forum I found out he was here and offering cut rate deals to anyone willing to buy in to Weaponedge products. I contacted him beginning of August expressing interest in 5 swords. That’s when he hit me with the carrot that if I was willing he would give me a wholesale discount if I spent 1K up front for as many swords as it took to do so. Cool. I asked for the 1804 Fr Cuirassier, Br Officer Spadroon, Br 1796 Enlisted Heavy Cav, Br 1803 Infantry Officer, Br 1845 Officer Life Guards, Br 1897 Infantry Officer, Br 1908 Enlisted Cav and 1912 Officer Cav.
Deal was made 2 Aug, with an expected delivery in 10-12 weeks. It took twice that time. At one point I sent a politely aggravated email to Weaponedge and got a serenely pleasant reply to hold my water. Stanford got his shipment in Austin, Texas on 30 December. Eight crates of swords and not a single flippin 1912 Br Cav Officer in the lot. Rob said I he could either reorder the 1912 or I could have anything else in his inventory as an exchange. So I wound up with the Field Marshall Hadik Saber (Austria). UPS delivered all eight on 13 Jan 2010.
Historical Overview
This commemorative for Count Hadik von Futok is an archetypal period piece. Hadik ( 1710-1790 ) was a member of minor Hungarian gentry who entered Austrian service in 1732 and fighting through the many monarchial flare ups of the period rose to general by the time of the Seven Years War. His great claim to fame was a 1757 classic raid on Berlin in which he pushed a force, primarily composed of Infantry, a blistering 30 miles a day and surprised the garrison of Frederick the Great’s Capitol. It was one of the few redeeming moments of the war for Austria and Hadik remained in high cabinet offices until retirement. The painting of Hadik was made when he was 72, a quarter century removed from his cavalry days.
Initial Impressions: I already have those French Imperial Guard sabers. First blush this looks like a reprise of the French light, with an equally blockie but much more ornate scabbard. Finish is high gloss, but close examination of the furniture shows the metal work to be rough cast; there is a lot of small flash marks and cracks in the brass and leather work. ( These aren’t really serious faults I’m talking about here; just rough work that you don't notice till you put your nose to the weapon. ) Leatherwork looks a tad better than the older swords. Blade looks very good.
Statistics Hadik Saber
Blade Length 33
Handle Length 4
Overall Length 39
Blade Width 1in 3/8h
Point of Balance 8 1/4ins
Percussion Point 21ins
Sword Weight 2lbs 5oz
Scabbard Weight 2lbs 9ozs
Components:
The Blade: The Light Saber is a well curved, flat backed with a long fuller out to about 8 inches from the tip. There is about 6 inches of back edge on the weak side of the blade. The blade is etched on both sides with period drawings of the sun, moon, and arm of God. There is a commemorative etching in Latin to Hadik on one side of the blade. The Latin reads ( adlibbing the medieval and german contexts), “ Lieutenant General Andreas Hadik, unexcelled in counsel and unequalled in war”.
The Handle: All handles are wood core and leather wrapped. There are two decorative pins attached to the handle which may or may not serve a function.
The Guard: Many of the sabers of the period are austere. The guard of the light cav is a simple knuckle bow. The type employs functional double langets which act as tynes to grip the scabbard and hold the weapon in place.
The Pommel: The light saber employs an upper case plate from handle to pommel. Weapon is peened.
The Scabbard: All the scabbards are wood cored with brass cases. There are leather inserted ports of different designs for each weapons. The drag on the type one heavy is brass. The brass plating is ornately covered, completely in a swirl pattern.
Handling Characteristics: The light saber is blade heavy for percussive effect. The short hilt and extreme blade endedness drive the slash. This works well as the overall weight of the saber is well within the acceptable range of 2.5 pounds.
Test Cutting: I was told these would be delivered sharp, except for the British 1897. None of these weapons arrived sharpened. They are at best military edged for final sharpening, rather than blunted or stage swords.
Conclusions:
Pros:
Good reproduction, with excellent sword handling characteristics
Fit and finish is generally good
Economic access to modern period swords
Cons:
Typical 4 inch short handle.
Brass maintenance: You’ll come to luv Never Dull
Questions about metal durability
The Bottom Line:
This is one of the newer swords in the Weaponedge catalog. It’s one of their more expensive offerings; which is kind of a joke as it’s only $280. The level of detail and the quality of the sword is a steal at the price. Based on the Napoleonic swords I expected some bloat. What I got is a pleasant surprise.
The swords were ordered for 1050 carbon steel. I can’t tell if that’s what was delivered. Questions of this sort persist about the company.
Hopefully the 5 month delay for production was an aberration for a small, growing business. Since my first look at Weaponedge I’ve noted three more international sellers have started promoting them. They certainly aren’t the most accessible, business oriented group you’ve met in the sword community. ( Clumsy web sites, a reluctance to answer e-mail and territoriality seems their norm. )
Will I do this again? Yes. Weaponedge has already released at least 4 new British swords. I’m hooked. I would rather beat on a recreation than a 125 year old original that costs $800 - $4000.