Sabre Against The Germans In WW2: Polish WZ.34 Szabla

The Polish WZ.34 szabla, or sabre, is an iconic and much sought-after sword. It was developed as a blend of tradition and Polish heritage, married to modern industrial production standards and quality control. It was put through tough tests in the factory in order to be approved for service.
Easton Antique Arms: www.antique-swords.co.uk/anti...

[@WolfKenneth]

Yep Sabres for Poles are like Katanas for Japanese.

[@MaciejBogdanStepien]

Quite so, but with a bulldoze of Polish dark humor.

[@heretyk_1337]

WolfKenneth- in the sense, that we will gut you with one, if you say some bad things about them? Yes, exactly like katana in that regard :) But- hehehe...- our ancestors` weapons were tested against many different types of opponents- both Western and Eastern... While katanas were just against each other...(bracing myself for shitstorm) On the serious note- nowdays people do realize that sabre wasn`t only side arm loved in Commonwealth- though most common due to calvary being most important- and so were the pallasches and straight swords as well- everything depended on what particular nobleman liked more, where he was born, what type of soldier was he(for example officers, who were commanding infantry pretty often took yatagans- why? Beats me, maybe they tried to emulate Janissaries, who were considered elite?)

[@user-vh8ce2yr5c]

polish-hungarian fencing school is one of the best in the world

[@jerrypawlak2396]

@@user-vh8ce2yr5c for sabers

[@OdiPrOfAnUm91]

no, Sabres are better. U can use them on a horse or without it. Its a more cavalry weapon.

[@Mrheinemann3761]

I actually have a WZ.34 at home. A cherished find on my parent's farm while we tore down a stable.

[@NicoSavio2395]

wz. 34: cavalry sabre wz. 35: anti tank rifle that escalated quickly

[@GregStachowski]

wz. 35 semi-automatic pistol (the Vis)

[@ThePerfectRed]

wz. 36: 37mm anti tank gun

[@firestorm165]

@@GregStachowski an excellent pistol at that

[@Jfk2Mr]

@@firestorm165 excellent? While I think it can be exaggeration, it is still a quite reliable gun

[@firestorm165]

@@Jfk2Mr it's one of a very small selection of military semi auto pistols that are actually legal to own in my country, so I'm sticking with "Excellent" if you don't mind

[@mordapl1641]

The last successful Polish cavalry charge took place in Schoenfeld, then in Germany, in 1945, and ended with the German defenders being overrun and retreating. The Winged Hussars arrived for the last time that day .

[@szablotukpolski5201]

. . .if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber . . . szablotłuk polski

[@blazejflorkiewicz9698]

whats the score in ww2 of our charges? or rather cavaliery advancments? :D

[@dobridjordje]

There was a cavalry charge in 1939. versus the German troops where Polish inflicted over 1000casualties to Germans (vast majority killed) but almost all of Polish riders were killed by the end of the battle.

[@heretyk_1337]

Over 30 minutes, very respectful, praising the subject... We, Polish keyboard warriors, are satified. We will not be assholes here :D

[@Einomar]

The 1796 seems nicer.... 😉🤣😁

[@heretyk_1337]

@@Einomar That is your opinion. And it is wrong.

[@Einomar]

@@heretyk_1337 😁😜

[@zenonmandzurski8659]

Respect

[@anarrivingwingedhussar9692]

@Kazimierz Malaczynski Grunwald, Klushino, Vienna and Warsaw. Great victories for Poland! It was Poles that saved Europe from Islamic and Communist invasion. Pity that not many realize this.

[@PolakInHolland]

Polish cavalry in 1939 was used in brigades as a mobile elite. Mostly fought (with a few exceptions) dismounted and had a higher proportion of anti-tank (37mm Bofors and a very effective AT rifle) and machine gun equipment than infantry regiments. The Wolynska cavalry brigade held up and bloodied the entire 4th Panzer Division at Mokra, destroying some 50 tanks and armored cars.

[@GuildOfTrespassers]

They made almost 40 000 of those sabres. I suppose they are quite rare for the reasons Matt mentioned and for one more - Polish soldiers before surrender often buried weapons in the ground, either hoping to use it someday again or just not wanting it to become spoil of war.

[@jannegrey593]

My Grandfather did this along with his Uniform (although his saber probably was not regular issue since he wasn't technically an Ułan but an officer of Horse Artillery, on the other hand he was also trained as an Ułan and was later detached and trained in Artillery, so he might have retained saber), after he fled from very brief German captivity - to Lwów to marry my Grandmother on 20th September 1939.

[@Askorti]

Small Polish language lesson that will make it more distinct from Russian: When you see -ów at the end, don't pronounce it like russian -ov, but with an "ov" as in english "move". It makes a closer approximation.

[@edytakilarska5243]

Ludwików- Ludvekoov 🙂

[@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864]

Jacek N: Please do you have some link abaut polska szabla, history, variants? I need it to be in English, or Swedish, or some other Scandinavian language. Wikipedia artikel about it, does not seems right.

[@NinjaMG]

@@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864 Richard Marsden had wrote a book about it in english, but you should try just google it. Maybe I drop you something later if I find something useful Edit: You may also watch some movies, polish made usually depicts szabla very well, duel scene from "Deluge" is golden, also that new movie www.imdb.com/title/tt10916614/

[@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864]

@@NinjaMG :Thank you! I will try again to find something. I have seen that scene in "Deluge". It is fantastic.

[@ZemplinTemplar]

@@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864 Jörgen, aside from the bibliography, Matt has done a few detailed videos on the szabla here on his channel. More of an auxilliary resource, obviously, but they were well done videos.

[@LitD]

No first hand accounts, unfortunately, but among the more interesting usages of this sabre would be the battle of Krasnobród where the Polish Nowogródzka Cavalry brigades 27th and 25th Ulan regiments charged and routed the German 8th infantry division. In an effort to cover the infantry's retreat the German 17th Siebzehntes Reiter-Regiment drew sabres and counter charged the 25th leading to what might be the last cavalry vs cavalry action in military history. After a short but vicious melee the Germans retreated when the regiments CO was killed and the Poles regrouped, dismounted and began weeding out the last resistance in the town and monastery. On the importance of having kit easily identifiable as "Polish" the priority went to helmets. In 1918 the helmets used were primarily Austro-Hungarian and German Stalhelms later supplemented by large amounts of French Adrian helmets but the Polish military began looking for a distinct helmet as soon as 1919. Several models were experimented with before settling on the wz.31. And on pronunciation. Ludwików [ludˈvʲikuf] Kielce kjɛltsə/ KYELT-sə Cheers!

[@heretyk_1337]

If only my ancestors` gear was up to their fighting spirit... Germany and Russia would be stuck on the borders...

[@XanderTuron]

If anybody is curious about the myth of Polish cavalry charging German tanks; what actually happened is that a Polish cavalry unit counter attacked and drove back a German infantry unit. The Polish cavalry pursued the German infantry until the Infantry retreated into a unit of either light tanks or armoured scout vehicles at which point, the Polish Cavalry withdrew.

[@ypabloworld]

Also. there were a few instances Polish cavalry units were encircled by German forces and breaking through the armoured units was the best (or only) possible way to survive.

[@TheGrenadier97]

And then some men with cameras saw vehicles around the bodies of a few men and horses and... the myth was on. Damn it.

[@lukzloty]

@@TheGrenadier97 I've heard it started with a Polish-friendly report from one Italian journalist who reported about "brave Polish soldiers fighting German tanks with everything they've got" and then German propaganda used it in one of their movies (fun fact: Polish troops were played by Slovakian army).

[@Paciat]

Its not a myth. Its propaganda. And when Soviet Union was "friends" with IIIrd Reich Soviets started repeating it since they hated Polish officers after the Polish-Bolshevik war. This event is described on wiki: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_at_Krojanty

[@jimboAndersenReviews]

In 1939 cavalry was still a thing: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Krasnobr%C3%B3d_(1939) Also, Axis forces utilized cavalry charges as late as the Plattensee Offensive, in 1945.

[@MałyShmeiker]

Hi Matt, just in case if you happen to wonder what "WZ.34" means: WZ stands for "wzór" which means "patter" or "model".

[@scholagladiatoria]

Aha! Thanks :)

[@AndrewSienx]

@@scholagladiatoria As it is a simple abbreviation it is written with small caps, dot and space like "wz. 34". Yeah, I know... :)

[@kevinsullivan3448]

Does that mean that VZ it the anglesized version?

[@aleksanderwojciechowski2124]

More acccurately WZ stands for "wzór" (pronunced vzoor) meaning - "design"

[@marcinpierzchaa5236]

@@aleksanderwojciechowski2124 I don't think "design" is a good example. "Wz." is just polish version of american "M1" or British "Mk1", so "model" or "mark" could be more appropriate.

[@gnashings]

Hi Matt, thank you for making this video, but even more so for the way you approached the subject. It's truly humbling that you took the trouble to convey the importance of this weapon to Poland as a nation, and approached the subject with such respect to its significance to Poles. It would be easy to just discuss the weapon in technical terms, and as you're incredibly knowledgeable and a wonderful teacher, no one could fault that video for lacking value. But you really went to the trouble if understanding what that inanimate object means to a people and took the time to explain it wonderfully. Thank you for that.

[@bartekbgraczyk5574]

Yes Sabre is a Symbol in Poland . Sabre for Poles is almost Sacred weapon.

[@MRKapcer13]

There is a core misunderstanding around the use of Polish cavalry as a cavalry unit. It really wasn't cavalry in the traditional sense, going into battle on horseback and cutting down Germans with their sabres. A more accurate description would be to call them a mobile infantry formation - their use was to either plug gaps in the frontline or to cover retreating infantry. They were more like dragoons or later armoured infantry. In that role they were very successful

[@Tareltonlives]

Indeed: the charge at Krojanty was basically improvisation against a sudden German platoon. It still worked, but the Kb ppanc wz. 35 was the main weapon of the uhlans in the 30s.

[@horatio8213]

Proper name is dragoons. Infantry on horse back.

[@Tareltonlives]

@@horatio8213 That's not the term used by the Polish army: the uhlans became dragoons, but they had the old designation, much like the hussars of other nations.

[@horatio8213]

@@Tareltonlives Yes it was not used to 1940. When in France was formed 10 Pułk Dragonów (10th Dragoon Regiment). Name wasn't used, but by form of organisation was. Dragoons were part of polish cavalery doctrin from Polish-Lithuenian Commonwealth. They were additional fire power for main polish force cavalry.

[@Tareltonlives]

@@horatio8213 Exactly what I said. They weren't called Dragoons, but they were dragoons for all intents and purposes. Furthermore, a lot of times dragoons in the 19th and 18th century were used as hussars or even heavy cavalry.

[@lordz00]

HUGE LOVE FROM POLAND FOR DEBUNKING CAVALRY CHARGING TANKS MYTH!!! LOVE YOU MATT!

[@dackelachtbeinig2830]

But they did! A moment and than they unpacked the antitank weapons.

[@cezaryjedrzycki6184]

Battle of Mokra.

[@cezaryjedrzycki6184]

@@dackelachtbeinig2830 Battle of Mokra

[@Vajperrr]

@@dackelachtbeinig2830 Well, if they did, it would be only because of german surprise attacks. Poles didn't always know if they'll encounter tanks or not, so situations like "a cavalryman charges towards infantry, but then it turns out they have armoured support" could happen

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Good film. The oldest instructions about the Polish saber fight from the beginning of the 19th century are here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@jancello]

The testing by striking with the flat is also described by Starzewski in the oldest Polish sabre treatise (1830), who mentions the "old tradition" of testing a sabre before buying it by striking with the flat on one's saddle pommel, which would make the sabre shatter, or bend and ring nicely.

[@Hedgehobbit]

Cavalry: For when you don't have planes but you do have plains.

[@2008davidkang]

But still deals a lot of pain

[@henoch44]

That's a nice one.

[@firestorm165]

In all seriousness though, Poland had some very decent planes, just not enough of them.

[@learntoread4407]

Well, they did have good pilots tho, just not enough industry

[@aleksanderwojciechowski2124]

We had both great horsemen, sailors, intelligence and pilots, who largely contributed to saving and liberating western countries and who you can or should learn about.

[@ukaszbien3339]

One of the best "szabla" on the world, and unfortunately, one of the last. Great parameters, great steel, true war saber. Thanks for this movie about Polish military history!

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Good film. The oldest instructions about the Polish saber fight from the beginning of the 19th century are here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@danielskrobot4910]

Huta Ludwików in Kielce. The same place were Polish were doing helmets Salamandra

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Good film. The oldest instructions about the Polish saber fight from the beginning of the 19th century are here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@chringlanthegreat4556]

I would love some more videos of swords from the ww2 era. Great job with the video, very fun to watch.

[@christophermills5336]

I'm an expat in Poland so enjoyed this especially, cheers mate 👍

[@Hibernicus1968]

I don't believe he ever got around to explaining the simple knucklebow in preference to a more protective guard. I suspect it's to make it easier to carry slung on the horse, and because by this time, fencing with another trooper armed with a sword would be rare (or not occurring it at all), and the hand protections was less critical.

[@josephdedrick9337]

also if worn on your hip, it is more convenient and a bit easier and less awkward to ware as well, aslo it is a cut and thrust saber not a thrust only(or thrust centric) weapon which often times have simpler guards then pure thrusting(or thrust centric)weapons due to various reasons also.

[@elirantuil5003]

He did in the previous video i think.

[@dragonsword7370]

Right, you were more likely to try to not hitting a whermact helmeted head and aim for the arm or chest. Found that out from hearing about soviet cavalry attacks during ww2. The cavalry were immensely capable of movement in swampy wet terrain.

[@XxLegionPLxX]

Our style of fencing is much different to western, more freedom of movement is required. Google polish sabre fencing. In earlier times you could find ones with steel ring for a thumb, but thats it. And its for mainly cavalry.

[@emarsk77]

He talked about that in the Italian M1833 Sabre video, which is very similar.

[@neilwilson5785]

Keep on doing these. I like to watch this stuff, to learn new things, and to stay calm. Thanks, Matt.

[@midwinter78]

They're in the first verse of the national anthem. "Co nam obca przemoc wzięła, Szablą odbierzemy." - "What the foreign power has seized from us, We shall recapture with a sabre." Apparently in later verses there's a backsword and some scythe. Video idea: scythe in warfare.

[@andersbenke3596]

While I would also love mr Easton's take on the subject, the Beige One has actually made two videos about scythes in battle: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aqPdgqqwnJqSo9E - first one kzbin.info/www/bejne/lZbRlX6EjdCXhbs - follow up

[@CatWithAHat2HD]

The bit about scythes only comes up in the original version of the song which isn't technically the anthem - a shortened (and slightly redacted) later version is. It's a reference to the 1st Polish uprising (1794) which lead to the final dismantling of the country and featured an episode where a scythe armed peasant levy was the bulk of a force that won a small battle. This became a bit of a cultural icon which survives to this day. In no small part due to Jan Matejko picturing it in one of his paintings. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Racławice

[@arturbaleja3907]

The scythes are another symbol in Poland. During the first uprising against the divisions of Poland called Insurekcja Kościuszkowska (Kościuszki’s Uprising), there were improvised formations made from peasants using agricultural scythes made into weapons by reforging the bases of their blades, se they would stick out in line with the shaft, rather than perpendicularly to it. They made quite a motivated and effective fighting force, credited with some interesting feats like the famous (in Poland) case of Bartosz Głowacki, who as part of his unit, charged and captured enemy canon battery. He stopped one of the enemy cannons from firing upon friendly forces by putting out a lit fuse with his hat. He was later nobilitated for his feats in battle and given a noble (at the time names ending with -ski or -cki were reserved for nobility) name of Głowacki.

[@tombombadil8142]

In polish culture both the saber and the scythes are symbols of demoratic values such as liberty and an active political atitude. The first being a status symbol of the voting class used to be percieved as a guarantee of personal freedoms pretty much the same way guns are interpreted in the US.The scythe on the other hand became a symbol of the lower classes taking responsibility for the fate of the state, during the Kościuszko Insurection. It somwat "replaced" the szabla, as the nobles failed to protect the integrity of the state in those circumstances.The shift wasn't total though and the szabla kept its venerated status, furthermore referencing a period of greatnes and strong national individuality(customs, dress and form of government).

[@CatWithAHat2HD]

The whole thing is a symbolic expression of the idea of continuity between the old, pre-modern republican spirit of the Commonwealth and the newer, mostly XIXth century, mass national identity. In the Polish national imaginary, modern citizenship isn't something that was won in some struggle against the old, monarchist elite, but a more universal reinstatement of what that old elite had before the partitions. The Polish citizen is not the revolutionary that gained his freedom by beheading the local duke. He is the direct heir of that duke's political legacy. (Except that Poland-Lithuania didn't have dukes per se, but w/e... You get the point.) That may perhaps explain why the Polish tend to be into this stuff too. To them, this is their direct political legacy, not just the system that was but is no more (like for most Western republics) nor even the system that kinda still exists, but as some kind of largely distant, and symbolic affair (as for most Western constitutional monarchies). The British have Lords sitting in parliament, have barons and dukes, but they are distinct from the common folk. The Polish ARE the Lords because that's what being a voting citizen meant in their culture since at least 1569.

[@Gashren]

I have to say I smiled when the first words was "Good morning" in Polish. Really made my day to hear that greeting from you (and the pronounciation wasn't bad). Thank you for very informative video, I haven't know all the tests that were used in the sabre factory. Really interesting to know, as I always thought the Prussians had the most strict tests in that field. Kielce - "ki" as in "kill", then "el", then "ce" as in "censor", but it's not soft c (which sounds kinda like s), but hard (maybe closer analogy would be something like "z" in "zornhau". Oh, and as a farewell it's "do widzenia" (literally "see you (later)"), as "dzień dobry" is used only for greeting.

[@firestorm165]

That moment when you realize your Czech lessons are also teaching you a bit of polish. Two for the price of one

[@michbushi]

@@firestorm165 ... Yeah, very similar languages, with some very funny traps if you want to use them interchangeably. For example Polish "szukać", which means "searching for" or "looking for" something, in Czech means a very rude version of... Let's just say, having a sexual encounter 😂

[@firestorm165]

@@michbushi ok then good to know rofl

[@adtharp]

They definitely made their way west - found two in very good condition in a friend's attic in Michigan, USA. I sold one, and kept the other in my permanent collection.

[@HebaruSan]

So the US had a President Ironcutter, nice

[@derstoffausdemderjoghurtis]

more like Ironbeater

[@garretphegley8796]

General Ironcutter is somewhat more famous.

[@adal5411]

Thank you for this film. Warming to a heart of a Polish patriot and history fan. Very accurate and respectful.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Dobry filmik. A najstarszy traktat o fechtunku szablą polską znajdziecie tu : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@panpeteski5925]

Awesome ! Thank you so much for this great episode. I am sitting here, with goose bumps, holding my Grandfather's WZ34 szabla. Cheers

[@szablotukpolski5201]

...if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber . . . szablotłuk polski

[@rcislariu]

Damn it's beautiful, the handle look almost modernist and combined with that blade it's just awesome.

[@vyderka]

Your pronunciation is surprisingly good, congrats on that :) I grew up playing with szabla wz 17 (..if I'm not mistaken) It was a super heavy thing to cut and parry with for a kid, I remember I could hardly swing it around and looked with awe at my daddy who swang it around like a toy.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

If anyone would like to hear about the history polish saber morree .. . szablotłuk polski

[@henoch44]

Polish cavalry during September '39 carried anti-tank rifles that could disable any panzer Germans threw at them, however that rifle was top secret and deployed briefly before war started. Polish soldiers were not nearly effective with it as they could be if they were more familiar with them. It was different technology from other rifles at the time, it was meant to kill crew and it worked.

[@mpetersen6]

The Poles also had a semi auto rifle ready to go into production. The Poles actually have and had a very good small arms industry

[@lucidnonsense942]

The anti tank rifle wasn't a particularity revolutionary design, what was special was the cartridge. It was the first service anti-armour squash head round, so instead of penetrating, it caused spalling on the interior. An example was smuggled out to the British at great risk, who were rather confused about what the big deal was - the operatives involved didn't realise the rounds were the important, secret, part - so didn't bring any out, instead going to great lengths to smuggle out a great big honking anti-tank rifle... As you said, they may have been a bit too secretive about it.

[@sharkinahat]

@William Sambo it was the "kb ppanc wz. 35 'Urugwaj'" don't remember the cartridge (7.8mm? or something small like that)

[@Tareltonlives]

I have a feeling if more kb ppanc wz. 35s were made and soldiers trained for them before the war, the campaign would be different.

[@firestorm165]

@@mpetersen6 forgotten weapons did a vid on said semi auto rifle and I have to say it was extremely impressive.

[@Templar_PL]

31:30 I believe I've heard about a few suprise cavalry attacks (september '39 campaign) on Germans camping sites. However it didn't have any operational importance. Polish cavalry Regiments during ww2 were actually mobile infantry units or even motorized infantry (on trucks, small tanks etc.). Actually the last big cavalry battle in Europe was in 1920 near Komarów, where Polish cavalry won over soviet Budionny' cavalry army (that deserves another podcast!). Anyways, a great and very informative podcast, thank you Matt!

[@jorgen-ingmarcastell2864]

This is a very good and durable sword.. I would say, one of the best.

[@dimitrizaitsew1988]

Will Matt ever speak about the use of swords in WW2? There has been a number of cases, when swords were used with great effect.

[@janstozek4850]

I'm really impressed. Your knowledge of the Central-European and Polish history and weaponry is really impressive. Hats off to you!

[@szablotukpolski5201]

...if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber moree . . . . szablotłuk polski

[@gopniktomek1009]

Excellent review. Thank You

[@piotrmalewski8178]

Hi, just found this excellently informative video. I'm very glad that Polish sabres are getting recognition. Poland and Hungary kind of introduced sabres to Europe as we picked them from Turks and Mongols. Just a short description of what means other than sabres Polish cavalry had in 1939; semi-automatic pistols, rifles, anti-tank rifles, hand machineguns, light machine guns, heavy machineguns, grenade launchers, 81 mm mortars, 75 mm field canons, 37mm anti-tank guns, and 40 mm AA autocanons which were also lethal to tanks of the time. Technically a Polish cavalry unit in 1939 could, or should have been able to take on even tank units when defending, and they did. The problem was insufficient number of anti-tank and anti-air canons caused by funds shortage, and then as more commonly known, poor command, lack of communication and coordination between different kinds of forces The cavalry however could stand their ground like any more modern unit would in similar circumstances. Classic charges also took place, some of them performed not by military cavalry, but by mounted police who also were armed with swords. Speaking of how iconic it was, the communist regime was trying to discredit the pre-war one in every way possible, and subsequently even a film replicating German propaganda about cavalry charging on tanks was made (Lotna). However, the cavalry was later rehabilitated in the TV show 'Four Tankmen and Dog', in which a cavalry unit commanded by a pre-war Master Sentinel destroys German paratroopers through surprise charge with sabres, and the tank driver receives a sword from the Master Sentinel. This sword is later grabbed in dramatic moments 'to give courage' and always saved, even when "Ginger' (the tank) is destroyed or when the tankmen run away whilst the building they had used for defence is being overrun by the Germans, and when Berlin falls, the tank's commander climbs on the Brandenburg gate to leave there a peaked cap that belonged to Cavalry Master who died firing a canon at German tanks. The series was made in the 60ies, and since then, never goes off the air. Also, the last unit of the regular army fighting on the Polish soil that just refused to surrender and kept marching around in uniforms and attacking German units, was the 110th Cavalry Regiment that later turned into 'the Separated Unit of the Polish Army' which wasn't crushed until 30th of April 1940, however the unit regrouped once again, at this point consisting of only 30 survivors, had one more skirmish and decided dissolution only after receiving a news that France had capitulated. This war episode was also given a full-feature film and the frantic refusal to give up is portrayed as a rational decision. The commander of said unit, major Henryk Dobrzański was himself a history enthusiast and a came from a noble family, so sabre and horse were also a symbol of the social class he originated from. Historical accounts suggest that Dobrzański and his officers in their decision were inspired by events of the Second Northern War, which in Poland was known as 'the Deluge'.

[@shroudedindarkness79]

According to "Świętokrzyskie museum 1963 volume": colonel Grzybowski was the head of the quality control and testing group , and he was probably killed at the beginning of the war. He was a real nightmare for the personnel of the Ludwików factory. He was pedantic and very demanding. Very often he tested sabres by himself, and he was a tall and strong man. Then, to the dismay of factory managers, the number of sabres that were thrown away used to increase. So it looks like we owe the quality of these sabres to colonel Grzybowski

[@szablotukpolski5201]

The oldest instructions for learning to fight with the Polish military saber : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@martinguerra5152]

It's important to note how effective the Italian cavalry was on Somalia against the british (led by Amadeo Guillet) and on the soviet union, this cavalry would not always dismount to shoot but rather charge with swords... I would love if you get your hands on those italian swords u.u

[@Jfk2Mr]

But since WWI cavalry charges were quite rare due to infantry being saturated with automatic weaponry such as heavy and light machine guns. And realistically, such charges would successfully occur only when dealing with unprepared second (or further) line troops or in ambushes against enemy in marching order

[@phillipallen3259]

Well done! I'm impressed by the amount and difficulty of the testing those swords endured.

[@lachirtel1]

The Soviets also extensively used cavalry on the Eastern front throughout WWII. Swords were used for attacking routing troops, soldiers on the march, and especially surprise attacks at night (or under cover of smoke).

[@BeoZard]

In 1939 every major military power still had horse cavalry. I worked with a guy who had enlisted in the U.S. Cavalry in 1939 and boy he had some stories to tell.

[@HingerlAlois]

BeoZard Indeed also Germany had several cavalry divisions during WW2.

[@mallardtheduck406]

I just see Scholagladiatoria and a cool looking sword and clicked. I love the grip on that sword! If I had the money, I would've bought it!

[@bentrieschmann]

Same

[@raics101]

I also liked the design, looks simple, robust and functional.

[@MrPysiaki]

Dzień dobry, Matt, thank you so much for all info on the sabre and bringing in Polish history elements. Correctness of your Polish pronunciation is really impressive. God bless, take care

[@edku8565]

You have great knowledge of history. Very interesting. Thanks.

[@euansmith3699]

When the item is up for sale on the website, I get the feeling I'm watching a really up-market and exclusive version of QVC. Great fun.

[@Riceball01]

Except that you won't see Matt hitting the sword against a table only to have it snap and a piece of it hitting him.

[@missnomer5800]

A great presentation! Germans also had cavalry in ww2. The 1st Cavalry Division was formed in October 1939. It fought in the Netherlands, Belgium, France and on the Eastern Front. The German cavalry corps, which in wartime consisted of horse, bicycle, and motorcycle troops, contained 18 horse regiments. Disbanded at the outbreak of the war in 1939, they were reformed into divisional reconnaissance battalions. In 1943 three regiments were reconstituted. By 1945 Germany had 6 cavalry divisions. WW1 was indeed a technological leap forward. During ww1 The British War Office and war journalists were using the Aeroscope cameras, invented and patented in 1910 by Polish Kazimierz Prószyński.

[@WojtekSzywalski]

Thanks for covering this subject. Regards!

[@szablotukpolski5201]

. .. if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber . . . szablotłuk polski

[@faegirdariusson2151]

Dzień dobry Matt, a raczej Dobry wieczór hahahaha (Ye almost nailed the pronunciation ;) )

[@thumper8684]

How can anybody nail Polish pronunciation? It is impossible! Warsaw == (approx) Varshava Lodz == (approx) Woodge Your mouths are not as our mouths!

[@darkart7176]

@@thumper8684 Nah, poles are just fine. If you speak any other Slavonic language, Polish is actually pretty cool. And I imagine no stranger than German sounds to English and vice versa. I mean come on, can you claim that "daughter" or "neighbor" make ANY effing sense in their spelling vs pronunciation?

[@thumper8684]

@@darkart7176 You are right English spelling is literal Hell for anyone wityh dyslexia. And we have place names that you have to local to pronounce or you stand no chance. Try Quernmore.

[@darkart7176]

@@thumper8684 Meh... Dyslexia aside, I am pretty sure that English has more exceptions than rules when it comes to spelling. But you know, we have a saying - you are as many times a Human (kinda hard to translate the true meaning, so human with a capital H will have to do), as many languages you speak :). Besides, its fun. And yeah, back off from poles. Only ones who is allowed to make fun of them is us, Ukrainians, coz they are allowed to make fun of us :)

[@Gashren]

@@thumper8684 Or how about French, where (seemingly) every second word is written differently than spoken?

[@kanaliaart8724]

One of the reason why it's rare: Pple love to keep this swords for family only, give it from generation to generation. I'm from Poland and in our culture is to keep souvenirs from the war after grandparents. Some of them didn't see a sunlight from the times of WW2 :)

[@szablotukpolski5201]

. .. .więcej na temat historii starej kawaleryjskiej broni ... szablotłuk polski

[@ZemplinTemplar]

As much as I like you talking about ancient, medieval and early modern melee weapons, these rare videos on early 20th century swords and edged weapons are always so fascinating. As someone interested in WWI era military history, I've always found the combination of old design methods (or inspiration taken from old design methods) with some 20th century elements and design trends to be really interesting. Concerning the Wz. 34 sabre, it really does feel a bit more powerful having a proper single-edged sturdy cutting sword in your scabbard, rather than just the thrusting cavalry swords of the late 1800s and early 1900s, doesn't it ? I can't quite imagine fighting with an 1908/1912 sword or the Patton sword in self-defence, on foot, outside of the saddle and a cavalry charge. Now, with the Wz. 34 and its other early 1900s precursors, I could imagine being a lot less defenceless, as it's not as overspecialised a sword. It is, as you note, in essence the same basic sabre design that's been in use in Poland for many centuries, successfully, with relatively little variation. Thank you for another great video. :-) P.S. Huta Ludwików would be "Ludwików Steelworks" and the Wz. abbreviation is Wzor, i.e. "Pattern". Interestingly enough, central European states still used the "Pattern + year" naming convention well into the 20th century. Also for firearms, helmets, etc. Czech uses the same basic convention, Vz., meaning Vzor ("Pattern"). The Vz. 24 rifle of Czechoslovakia would be the "Pattern (19)24 rifle", and so on.

[@martinsmith9054]

I've read a lot of WW2 history. Much of it before the internet. I do remember a German account of a spirited engagement on horseback in Poland with sabre and pistol. It seemed like both sides were keen for it, and willing to forgo any advantage conferred by modern weapons in order to get to what they considered as the real battle. I don't remember the book title, ironically I was more interested in tanks and planes then.

[@jjforcebreaker]

Very informative and interesting video!

[@IskraZ_Polski]

This is the weapon of a Polish Hussar. Not as clumsy or random as a pistol. An elegant weapon... for a more civilized age

[@Breslenauer]

What a very informative and detailed presentation on the subject! Hat's off! You not only covered the technical, historical and military aspects of the saber but as well you've mentioned about the meaning it carries to Polish people. Indeed there is a very strong bond between "sabre" and Polish identity as a nation, which is clearly expressed at the very beginning of our national anthem: Poland has not yet perished, So long as we still live. What the foreign force has taken from us, We shall with sabre retrieve.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

. . . . great history polish saber .. szablotłuk polski

[@danhodg1]

Aesthetically pleasing, interesting history, awesome sword, I'd love one

[@damian4926]

Thanks for the video, very informative. Great sword.

[@lefunnyN1]

would be interesting to make a video about the last swords actually used in combat, like 1917 cutlass, patton saber, wz34, shin gunto etc.

[@skullharvester]

Greetings from Poland and thank you for this video:).

[@szablotukpolski5201]

The oldest instructions for learning to fight with the Polish military saber : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@Diveyl]

'wz. 34' stands for 'wzór 34' that is meaning 'model 34'. Huta - Ironworks 'Dzień dobry' is a greeting. If you are saying goodbye you should say 'dowidzenia'/'do zobaczenia' (see you later) or 'miłego dnia' (have a nice day). You can also use 'Bywajcie' (plural) / 'Bywaj' (singular) or 'Bądź zdrów!' that means 'Be well/Be healthy'.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Dobry filmik. A najstarszy traktat o fechtunku szablą polską znajdziecie tu : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@danielkohli1542]

It would be interesting to have a saber all done up in the art deco style, or any of the other styles that were popular at that time.

[@chriscostello9111]

You really can't beat that sound when it's drawn

[@mikolajwitkowski8093]

As a Pole, I wouldn't say it was so important for Polish history, even in 39 nobody in Poland expected them to be in any real use, rather for show.

[@tegrin853]

The sheer amount of testicular mass in Polish military history is just outstanding.

[@bartoszwilga4296]

Thany You for this video. Greetings from Poland :)

[@Clonerro]

If you know about wing hussars then some Polish cavalry officers changed orginal handguard and grip for its ancestors hussars saber handguard and grip and they are incredibly rare

[@pjdabrowski]

I think you could look into the design of husaria (winged hussars) lances - and the effect of their use.. (they were substantially longer than infantry pikes.. a magnificent piece of ingineering, and warfare tactics..

[@szablotukpolski5201]

... . if anyone would like to hear about the history polish saber morree . . . szablotłuk polski

[@flying_hussar3034]

Very well presented! I thoroughly enjoyed this video! As a Pole I am looking to acquire one o these at some point.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

If anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber . . . . . . szablotłuk polski

[@flying_hussar3034]

@@szablotukpolski5201 oglądam oglądam. fajne filmiki

[@szablotukpolski5201]

@@flying_hussar3034 Dzięki, najstarszy traktat o fechtunku szablą polską znajdziecie tu : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@lowlandnobleman6746]

Any chance of talking about Pictish square shields? Very bizarre and oft overlooked they are.

[@erichusayn]

Beautiful, well designed sword. Wish I had the cash. Wonder how many of them it took to put it all together...?

[@pbr-streetgang]

Thanks for the vid sir.

[@antivalidisme5669]

Italian then Polish sabre love the spirit Matt- though I prefer the Horse Artillery "Italian" 1855 pattern to the 1833 one, don't judge me love clip-back points! Poles had such an impact on modern sabres design IMO and I don't even speak of their role during the Napoleonic wars from Spain to Russia. New question Matt what about the Royal engineers drivers and the 1852 Prussian sabres? How long did they use them? Cannot find sources on the matter. Thank you so much sir take care, especially in these times

[@EthanBSide]

As an American, the iron cut, or Eisenhower, is particularly interesting. Especially via WW2. Thx!

[@kevinsullivan3448]

It's an implication that his ancestors may have been smiths.

[@HappyLittleBoozer]

Last thing I expected was being randomly recommended a video about the only sword I own.

[@arturbaleja3907]

Well, Polish calvary was supposed fight a bit like motorised infantry. They were supposed to fight on foot like infantry, using horses to move them and their heavy equipment around on pretty far distances through plains of modern Ukraine and Belarus. Talking about equipment, they had a lot of stuff like AT guns, howitzers, mortars and machine guns, as well as tanks and armoured cars. At the time, these were some of the most advanced units. They were actually pretty effective in 1939, but if the war was fought against Russians, these would be absolutely deadly in the plains. Charges were supposed to be conducted only with an element of surprise, like attacking an unprepared column of infantry in march. Btw: Your pronouncion is pretty decent. With the szabla you actually nailed it.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

The oldest instructions for learning to fight with the Polish military saber : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@Dark-wy9yb]

Polish sabers ( specially hussar versions) are greatest white weapons of all times. With hussar saber you you could fight all 4 fighting styles: - western europe, knight's style, using saber like sword, - eastern europe style- stepes, polish style - middle east/arabian fighting style - far east fighting style, using saber like katana. It it only blade that can be used like this, for example with katana you can't fight against swords and swords are useless in katana style. Saber is only way to be so versatile. My family still have some our ancestors sabers - hussar sabers ( few generations of my ancestors were hussars), hungarians, ottomans, russians XVI - XIX century sabers , german wwl saber ( my grandgrandfather was calvalry capitain), austrian ww1 saber, etc. We have also saber wz.34. We have katanas, arabian swords/sabers, rapiers and swords too and I practice many styles of fencing ( It is so great and traditional). And in my opinion there isn't anything better than hussar saber. It is amazing. When I was kid and I was in my grandparents mansion I liked to take ( without asking, the don't let me play with antic, 400 years weapon ) damascus steel hussar saber, tiger fur, hussar armour ( it was so heavy... ) and go riding on horse and imagining that I am hussar like my ancestors.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

If anyone would like to hear about, great history polish saber .. . szablotłuk polski

[@deshaunwilson9603]

The handle and hilt on that thing is sweet!

[@MrSloth-sy3rh]

It's wild to learn that swords were used in WW1 to some degree of success and now swords used from 1918 to 1939! And still useful wild.

[@Qba0B]

Huta Ludwików...That is why that sabre is also called "Ludwikówka"

[@anthonyhayes1267]

Funnily enough, I just ran across one of these in an antique store yesterday

[@ysy662]

It was mostly ceremonial and status symbol for the polish officers sort of like katana was for the Japanese officers. Contrary to most myths polish cavalry was by most equipped with quite good and sophisticated weapons like an antitank rifle UR Wz35 and 37mm Bofors antitank canon. There were for the most elite and professional soldiers and they took a heavy toll on the inwading Germans. Horseback charges were very few and far between, these guys were not suicidal, there were professionals they knew that one prepared machine gun nest can mow them all out, the charges were ordered only in two circumstances, first, where the enemy was very close and would be taken by total surprise, second, where the charge was the only way to break from encirclement. Also Poland in 1939 was in the process of mechanizing cavalry, 2 out of 11 cavalry brigades were already motorized using trucks tankettes and light tanks rather than horses.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

....if anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber .. .. szablotłuk polski

[@carlosdelsol76]

And the wojtek version? :D that guy sure needed a melee weapon beside his claws.

[@henrywasung3213]

You ask for examples of this sword being used - can't provide that, but the recent "First to fight" by Roger Moorhouse is the first English language (popular) history book on the German invasion of Poland in 1939. While not focusing on swords, it does decribe the use of cavalry and debunck myths as you briefly alluded to) in that conflict - I recommend it

[@BaldPolishBiotechnol]

Great video, a lot of facts I did not know, even some of my relatives carried those in '39. One thing: as for parting, it should have been "do widzenia". Have a nice day and I hope you find a good buyer for this one.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

Good film. The oldest instructions about the Polish saber fight from the beginning of the 19th century are here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iWm2kqiKZ6mZq7s

[@lionheart3916]

Hey matt this is a bit random but have you got or have ever owned a British sword from the time of the zulu war and would you be able to do a video on it?

[@peebee4533]

Thank You

[@szablotukpolski5201]

...W temacie historii szabli polskiej ... szablotłuk polski

[@MtRevDr]

Great to have swords that withstood brutal tests.

[@bobmilaplace3816]

My god, Polish Forged in Fire would be awesome.

[@jozefkozon4520]

Once, theay had caled Polisch hussar sabre an austria one.

[@matthewpham9525]

How much experience do you have with 19th-20th century American swords? The M1902 Army Officers *Saber* for example?

[@Lucius1958]

I have an old 19th century saber that I got from my grandmother, who grew up on an Army base in Texas. The hilt is quite battered, and one of the bars is missing, indicating that it probably saw some action. The only markings are on the pommel: *A.G.M. NV*, and *N(?) 52*.

[@alexandersarchives9615]

Does anyone know when the model 1788 was made? I’ve been trying to look it up but haven’t found anything on it.

[@dobridjordje]

I don't know... perhaps......the year of......1788????¿¿¿¿

[@Piotrogrud]

"lot of authority in the cutting part" kocham angielski !!!

[@chringlanthegreat4556]

That testing sounds like something straight out of forged in fire!

[@alexanderkolodziej4808]

Very interesting video! Greetings from Poland :)

[@alexthomson3001]

Is the reason for the teardrop shaped cutout on the quillon known?

[@Lao_tzu5789]

I have the same at home after my grandfather. Beatifull work.

[@szablotukpolski5201]

.. na temat historii starej kawaleryjskiej broni .. szablotłuk polski

[@nanukbigwithe]

👍 Greetings from Poland!

[@szablotukpolski5201]

If anyone would like to hear about the great history polish saber .. .. .. szablotłuk polski

[@opridilol]

Fun fact: In officer corpse standard equipment regulations weren't that closely controlled, so in case of some aristocratic officers, it was in a good tone to have a hussar sabre set in wz. 34 handle and sheath, if you had one. :)

[@mariuszo9425]

Thanks for this movie..im from Poland

[@szablotukpolski5201]

W temacie wielkiej historii szabli polskiejjj ... ... szablotłuk polski

[@RockmeHellsing]

Thank you, i needet this information that i made the right buy. I bought this Sabre from an old man, it is not in good condition (it seemes to be used and have sharts and patina) but i like the looks of it and i am a reeanactor of many periods ( early15th century Kight/Peasant, 30 Years war Soldier, 19th century soldier), and i looked for this sabre a lot and did´t find it anywere (i´m from germany, maybe in the US or UK you can buy these) i always wondered about the hole in the Crossguard if it was avery long bayonett or something

[@IllustriousCrocoduck]

I like to think that this backdrop is the inside of Tod's workshop. One of these days we'll see an arrowhead punch through the wall because Tod is outside researching Agincourt again.