--- product_id: 15501011 title: "The Polish Saber" price: "20350 som" currency: KGS in_stock: true reviews_count: 13 url: https://www.desertcart.kg/products/15501011-the-polish-saber store_origin: KG region: Kyrgyzstan --- # The Polish Saber **Price:** 20350 som **Availability:** ✅ In Stock ## Quick Answers - **What is this?** The Polish Saber - **How much does it cost?** 20350 som with free shipping - **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship - **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.kg](https://www.desertcart.kg/products/15501011-the-polish-saber) ## Best For - Customers looking for quality international products ## Why This Product - Free international shipping included - Worldwide delivery with tracking - 15-day hassle-free returns ## Description Polish Saber - The use of the Polish Saber on foot in the 17th century covers the history, anecdotes and use of Poland's iconic weapon. In matters of honor and personal safety the saber was the Polish nobleman's choice of arms. The concept of the duel, the form and function of the weapon, as well as source material from Poland, Italy and Germany are blended together in an interpretation presented in full-color. The work is suitable for history enthusiasts, Historical European Martial Artists and re-creationists who wish to explore Poland's Commonwealth and the weapon that symbolized its nobility. Review: Researched, Cited, and Evaluated: An Excellent Resource - Richard Marsden's organization in this book is exceptionally well suited to facilitating the evaluation and refinement of his interpretation of the primary sources on the use of the Polish saber in the 17th century. Included are significant selections from English translations of utilized primary texts and breakdowns of techniques, each technique referencing the relevant primary source with an excerpt; the total effect of Mr. Marsden's work here is a thorough and rational foundation, assembled in light of practical experience and academic insight, which may serve as a valuable platform from which to launch into the next explorations of how the eastern wielders of the saber employed this weapon to build such fearsome reputations. Though I generally find Richard Marsden's work to be useful, I am especially impressed by his pragmatic and exacting approach to this discipline and his contributions to its rediscovery. If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of historical saber techniques, this is one of the texts I would strongly recommend. Review: More books like this are needed - desertcart only shows the front and back cover of this rather impressive piece of both weapon history and use. The Bibliography on pages 232 and 233 demonstrates both the extent of the research, and the challenge. There are not many sources for any kind of saber, much less the rather distinctive Polish saber. This partly reflects the current, still early state of rediscover y of the ”fechtbuch ” - historic sources on the use of hand weapons, particularly for the duel. The oldest sources seem to capture the most attention – the result being the intense interest in I33 and the longsword of Fiore. Despite the long lineage of the saber, to Western audiences it tends to invoke the image of Napoleonic cavalry. This brings up the other challenge faced by the author – a relative scarcity of sources on the weapons of Central Europe, and a lack of knowledge of the theater. I was aware Poland was a major European power off and on for nearly two centuries, but until reading this work, I did not know the Thirty Years War largely missed the country. Fortunately, Mr. Marsden was quite willing to provide the necessary context. The extensive large format color photographs and illustrations make this work somewhat unique so far, in a book of instruction on the use of a historical fencing weapon. There have been many “coffee table” books, perhaps of similar size but not as long, depicting swords and other hand weapons, and some references on their use. However, this is an example, and probably a new example, of a “coffee table book” which can be used to learn a martial art. This book was a project, and a quick review of the five page illustrated “Acknowledgements” section shows that while the author was key, this was a team project, necessitated by the somewhat exotic subject matter, and the relative lack of English sources. Instead of relying on long quotes, there are a total of three chapters devoted to original sources: Polish, Italian and German. Reading a translation of an original essay or memoir from 17th Century Poland was more directly informative than reading an elaborate explanation. (Including the Messer from the German sources might be a “stretch”, since the relatively short, thick blade handles much differently, from personal experience.) The book excels in developing the context of the form of the Polish saber in both form and use. The irony here is profound, given the author currently being the President of the HEMA Alliance, and so many of its readers likely to be members of that organization, or similar groups. These practitioners go out of their way to differentiate themselves from those who attempt to create an immersive sub-culture – going so far as to ensure their club logo is featured prominently on kit, for reasons I suspect go beyond advertising. It was as if they were concerned re-creating court intrigue might somehow distract from “the art” they are so devoted to bring back to life. Slightly more than half of the work is under “Interpretation”, and this is where the format is probably ground breaking. In the vast majority of instructional books on swordsmanship, the readers must squint at a small grainy black and white image housed in a soon-to-crumble “perfect” binding. My version is hefty, hardcover and full color, which helps many, myself included, more quickly assimilate the image. If I want to look at the grip being used, I don’t need to wonder what a close up might have looked like, I can see it in the full figure photograph. The importance of the work transcends the specific subject matter – more books like this are needed for more weapons forms. ## Technical Specifications | Specification | Value | |---------------|-------| | Best Sellers Rank | #3,128,497 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #190 in Fencing (Books) #3,165 in Martial Arts (Books) #14,983 in Exercise & Fitness (Books) | | Customer Reviews | 4.8 out of 5 stars 114 Reviews | ## Images ![The Polish Saber - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81AKZE+BssL.jpg) ## Customer Reviews ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Researched, Cited, and Evaluated: An Excellent Resource *by M***W on March 2, 2016* Richard Marsden's organization in this book is exceptionally well suited to facilitating the evaluation and refinement of his interpretation of the primary sources on the use of the Polish saber in the 17th century. Included are significant selections from English translations of utilized primary texts and breakdowns of techniques, each technique referencing the relevant primary source with an excerpt; the total effect of Mr. Marsden's work here is a thorough and rational foundation, assembled in light of practical experience and academic insight, which may serve as a valuable platform from which to launch into the next explorations of how the eastern wielders of the saber employed this weapon to build such fearsome reputations. Though I generally find Richard Marsden's work to be useful, I am especially impressed by his pragmatic and exacting approach to this discipline and his contributions to its rediscovery. If you are interested in learning the fundamentals of historical saber techniques, this is one of the texts I would strongly recommend. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ More books like this are needed *by M***D on December 29, 2015* Amazon only shows the front and back cover of this rather impressive piece of both weapon history and use. The Bibliography on pages 232 and 233 demonstrates both the extent of the research, and the challenge. There are not many sources for any kind of saber, much less the rather distinctive Polish saber. This partly reflects the current, still early state of rediscover y of the ”fechtbuch ” - historic sources on the use of hand weapons, particularly for the duel. The oldest sources seem to capture the most attention – the result being the intense interest in I33 and the longsword of Fiore. Despite the long lineage of the saber, to Western audiences it tends to invoke the image of Napoleonic cavalry. This brings up the other challenge faced by the author – a relative scarcity of sources on the weapons of Central Europe, and a lack of knowledge of the theater. I was aware Poland was a major European power off and on for nearly two centuries, but until reading this work, I did not know the Thirty Years War largely missed the country. Fortunately, Mr. Marsden was quite willing to provide the necessary context. The extensive large format color photographs and illustrations make this work somewhat unique so far, in a book of instruction on the use of a historical fencing weapon. There have been many “coffee table” books, perhaps of similar size but not as long, depicting swords and other hand weapons, and some references on their use. However, this is an example, and probably a new example, of a “coffee table book” which can be used to learn a martial art. This book was a project, and a quick review of the five page illustrated “Acknowledgements” section shows that while the author was key, this was a team project, necessitated by the somewhat exotic subject matter, and the relative lack of English sources. Instead of relying on long quotes, there are a total of three chapters devoted to original sources: Polish, Italian and German. Reading a translation of an original essay or memoir from 17th Century Poland was more directly informative than reading an elaborate explanation. (Including the Messer from the German sources might be a “stretch”, since the relatively short, thick blade handles much differently, from personal experience.) The book excels in developing the context of the form of the Polish saber in both form and use. The irony here is profound, given the author currently being the President of the HEMA Alliance, and so many of its readers likely to be members of that organization, or similar groups. These practitioners go out of their way to differentiate themselves from those who attempt to create an immersive sub-culture – going so far as to ensure their club logo is featured prominently on kit, for reasons I suspect go beyond advertising. It was as if they were concerned re-creating court intrigue might somehow distract from “the art” they are so devoted to bring back to life. Slightly more than half of the work is under “Interpretation”, and this is where the format is probably ground breaking. In the vast majority of instructional books on swordsmanship, the readers must squint at a small grainy black and white image housed in a soon-to-crumble “perfect” binding. My version is hefty, hardcover and full color, which helps many, myself included, more quickly assimilate the image. If I want to look at the grip being used, I don’t need to wonder what a close up might have looked like, I can see it in the full figure photograph. The importance of the work transcends the specific subject matter – more books like this are needed for more weapons forms. ### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ A very enjoyable and great read! For Fencers *by M***D on August 30, 2015* A very enjoyable and great read! For Fencers, Re-enactors and just plain Historical enthusiasts that have always been fascinated in the subject, this piece of literature is for you. Mr. Marsden is a pioneer in this popularly growing area of study and this text sets a strong and positive foundation of this subject of historical inquiry quite well. Straightforward yet more than detailed enough to vividly immerse the reader into the fascinating world of the traditional Saber Duel in the VIth-VIIth cent. Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in so far as Mr. Marsden's painstaking research has revealed. Personally look forward to more texts on the subject from Mr. Marsden but in the mean time, his other works (also highly recommended) will have to fill in that space of anticipation :) --- ## Why Shop on Desertcart? - 🛒 **Trusted by 1.3+ Million Shoppers** — Serving international shoppers since 2016 - 🌍 **Shop Globally** — Access 737+ million products across 21 categories - 💰 **No Hidden Fees** — All customs, duties, and taxes included in the price - 🔄 **15-Day Free Returns** — Hassle-free returns (30 days for PRO members) - 🔒 **Secure Payments** — Trusted payment options with buyer protection - ⭐ **TrustPilot Rated 4.5/5** — Based on 8,000+ happy customer reviews **Shop now:** [https://www.desertcart.kg/products/15501011-the-polish-saber](https://www.desertcart.kg/products/15501011-the-polish-saber) --- *Product available on Desertcart Kyrgyzstan* *Store origin: KG* *Last updated: 2026-06-06*