Beautiful hand made replica of a Polish karabela from the XVII century during the time of Jan Sobieski engraved with the Latin motto of his Polish Winged Cavalry -"Amor Patriae Nostra Lex" - Love Of Homeland Is Our Law.

Perhaps one of the most famous types of Polish sabres were the classical karabelas, which entered service around 1670. Most likely the name was coined after the Turkish terms Kara (dark) and bela (curse).  This type of sabre was modelled after the swords of the Turkish footmen formations of Janissaries and Spahis, which used it in close quarters.  Much lighter than the hussar szabla, the karabela has an open hilt with the pommel modelled after eagle's head.  Such an anatomic grip allowed for easier handling of circular cuts while fighting on foot and for swinging cuts from horseback.
Their popularity and efficiency made the Polish nobles abandon the broadswords used in Western Europe.

Initially the karabela sabres were used mostly for decoration or as a ceremonial weapon worn on special occasions. Popularized during the reign of King Jan III Sobieski, the karabela became one of the most popular Polish cold steel weapons.
Source - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Szabla