Turko-Mongol sabers

rdf:langString Turko-Mongol sabers

rdf:langString Turko-Mongol Sabre

rdf:langString Turko-Mongol Sabre

rdf:langString Eurasian Steppes

rdf:langString Cavalry Sabre

rdf:langString Mongol and Turkic Nomads

rdf:langString These swords were used by the Turkic and Mongolic nomads of the Eurasian steppes primarily between the 8th and 14th centuries. One of the earliest recorded sabres of this type was recovered from an Avar grave in Romania dating to the mid 7th century. Although minor variations occur in size and hilt, they are common enough in design across 5 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 30 and 40 inches 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. 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. 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 lay a feature typically of copper or iron called tunkou in China. 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. Later swords that descended from these blades bore non functional tunkou that were ornamental and at times just etched onto the blades.