Commemorative Saber Sweden Lithuania

This commemorative saber brings us back to the time of the Great Northern War (1700-1721) which saw the Sweden of Charles XII, allied with the Ottoman Empire and part of the Polish nobility, clash on the one hand, to part of the nobility of Lithuania, and to the Ukrainian Cossacks of the Hetman Mazeppa, and on the other hand the Russian coalition, led by Peter the Great, allied with Denmark, the King of Poland, the King of England, the King of Prussia, the Elector of Saxony, and the Elector of Hanover... Two historical figures are mentioned Charles XII, known as "Carolus Rex" King of Sweden, and Michal Serwacy WISNIOWIECKI (1669-1763), Hetmann of Lithuania, who should not be confused with Michal Korybut WISNIOWIECKI (1640-1673), King of Poland.
The inscription on the blade "In memoria Transati in Turaci temporis cu Seren "Corolo" Invicto Svetiare Rege Donate Frati Suo germ Principi Palatino Krakow Michael Princeps Wisniowiecki MDL Dux Ex constpu Die X Jan i An 1713" allows us to locate the event very exactly. Charles XII of Sweden, after the defeat of Poltava in 1709 took refuge in Moldavia, which was part of the Ottoman Empire, and remained there until 1714. Michal WISNIOWIECKI imprisoned in Russia after the battle escaped a year later. As he could not return to Lithuania, which was still occupied by the Russians, he took refuge with Carolus. The inscription therefore translates "In memory of the journey in the time of the Turks to the most serene "Carolus" Invincible King of Sweden, He gives to his Germanic brother Prince Palatine of Krakow, Michael Prince Wisniowiecki Magnus Dux Lithuaniae (= Grand Duke of Lithuania) Duke by virtue of the constitution, on the 10th day of January of the year 1713” Obviously the qualification of “invincible king” for Charles is a bit exaggerated, as well as the high-sounding title of Grand Duke of Lithuania and Palatine Prince of Krakow for Michal, but in these difficult times, the two sovereigns probably needed to embellish reality a little in order to cheer them up...

The saber itself: Although commemorating a fact from the beginning of the 18th century, this sword is much more recent. In a first approach, I tought it was a work from the 19th century, but after careful analysis, I think that it is a work of higher quality than the basic tourist reproduction, (edge very sharp and gilded decoration) . It dates from the second half of the 20 th century .
BLADE: This is a typical Central European blade. Flat, single-edged, it widens towards the tip. Counter-edged on the last 18 cm. In addition to the quoted inscription, engraved with etching and enhanced with gold on a black varnish background, there is also a representation of the crown of Lithuania. This blade is quite heavy in the hand, with a balance point 22 cm from the hilt, although the total weight of the weapon (1.07 kg) is close to that of an An IX cavalry sabre.
Blade length 78.5 cm Width near the guard 3 cm thickness near the guard 4.5 mm Unlike modern basic tourist copies, this blade is very sharp.
  GUARD : In chased bronze, it has the typical cross shape of sabers from the region.
HANDLE: made up of 2 blackened wooden plates, separated by an etched brass band. GRIP made of 2 parts of darkened wood, separated by brass bands decorated wit acid carving.
Shipping charges : France= 20€, Europe = 30€
Ref AX2Y-21XX