Republic of Poland Officer's Saber M 1921 as Presentation Saber for Brigadier General Jerzy Ferek-Błeszyński

circa 1938. Slightly curved single-edged blade with fullers on both sides and double-edged point, richly etched on both sides. On the obverse with depiction of the Mother of God above the military order Virtuti Militari and bearer designation “Jerzy Ferek Błeszyński Pulk. Dypl.” as well as floral background. On the reverse with the depiction of the badge of the I. Brigade of Legionnaires for faithful service, below cartouche with inscription “Tarnopol 1 na 2 Czerwca 1919” (Tarnopol 1st and 2nd June 1919). The special blade with unique etching as a custom piece for the presentation saber, designed by Antoni Dziedzicki in 1938, on the blade spine the engraved inscription “Pys.itraw.Kpt. Antoni Dziedzicki 1938”. Brass stirrup guard following the design by Borowski Warszawa, the grip with black leather covering, the grip wrapping slightly damaged. The steel scabbard with 2 suspension rings, with remnants of nickel plating, overall length 94.5 cm. Worn piece with minor signs of wear and age, condition 2.

The artist Antoni Dziedzicki is known for his special blades and unique etchings.
Jerzy Ferek-Błeszyński received this presentation saber upon his appointment to Brigadier General in March 1939. A unique and extremely rare presentation weapon for a highly decorated Polish Brigadier General.

Jerzy Seweryn Witold Ferek-Błeszyński (1888-1946) was an independence fighter, intelligence officer, politician, highly decorated Legionnaire officer, diplomat and Brigadier General of the Polish Army. His military career began in August 1914 with the I. Brigade of the Polish Legions. After the end of World War I, he joined the newly founded Polish Army. Until the outbreak of World War II, he served among other positions as acting Chief of Intelligence/Secret Service and as Military Attaché in Paris from 1928 to 1936. At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, he was appointed by Marshal Śmigły-Rydz as Commander of a Polish division in France and as acting Commandant of the training camp Coëtquidan. From November 1939 he was without command. Due to his poor health condition, he was retired in January 1942. Ferek-Błeszyński was awarded in 1921 with the Silver Cross Virtuti Militari (No. 61), the highest Polish military decoration for heroism and courage in war.

523337

Republic of Poland Officer's Saber M 1921 as Presentation Saber for Brigadier General Jerzy Ferek-Błeszyński

The Polish Officer's Sabre Model 1921 represents a pivotal moment in Polish military history following the nation's restoration of independence in 1918. Officially approved on April 12, 1921, through Order No. 280 of the Minister of Military Affairs and published in the Official Orders Journal No. 14, this sabre became the first standardized officer's weapon of the newly independent Polish state. Its curved design deliberately referenced the historic tradition of Polish hussars while embodying the spirit of the reborn nation.

This particular honour sabre represents a unique custom commission created circa 1938 for Brigadier General Jerzy Seweryn Witold Ferek-Błeszyński. The weapon was designed by Captain Antoni Dziedzicki, an officer noted during the interwar period for his special blade designs and unique etchings. The blade spine bears the engraved inscription “Pys.itraw.Kpt. Antoni Dziedzicki 1938,” documenting both the creator and the year of manufacture.

The slightly curved steel blade features a double fuller on both sides and a double-edged tip. The front surface displays richly etched decoration depicting the Virgin Mary above the Virtuti Militari military order, Poland's highest decoration for heroism and courage in war. Below this appears the inscription “Jerzy Ferek Błeszyński Pulk. Dypl.” (Colonel Diplomat) set against a floral background. The reverse side bears the badge of the 1st Brigade of Polish Legionnaires for faithful service, beneath which a cartouche contains the inscription “Tarnopol 1 na 2 Czerwca 1919,” commemorating the capture of that city on June 1-2, 1919, during the Polish-Ukrainian War. In this engagement, Polish forces of the 5th Infantry Division and Sikorski's division captured the city, taking 81 Ukrainian officers, 4,000 soldiers, and 69 machine guns.

The brass D-guard hilt follows the design of G. Borowski Warszawa, one of the major manufacturers of the M 1921 during the interwar period. The sabre measures 94.5 cm in total length, with a steel scabbard fitted with two suspension rings and retaining remnants of nickel plating. The grip features black leather covering over wood, characteristic of the period's construction methods.

Jerzy Ferek-Błeszyński (1888-1946) exemplified the generation of Polish officers who fought for their nation's independence. His military career began in August 1914 when he joined the 1st Brigade of Polish Legions. Following World War I, he entered the newly established Polish Army and served as head of military intelligence (Section II) from 1926 to 1927. From 1928 to 1936, he served as military attaché to Paris. On January 1, 1939, he was promoted to the rank of Brigadier General.

His military service earned him numerous decorations. On May 20, 1921, he received the Silver Cross of the Virtuti Militari, Poland's highest military decoration. Additional honors included the Cross of Independence (1931), the Officer's Cross of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Cross of Merit (1933), four Crosses of Valour, and the Wound Decoration for three times wounded. Foreign governments also recognized his service: he was made an Officer of the French Legion of Honour and a Grand Officer of the Order of Leopold of Belgium.

At the outbreak of World War II in 1939, Marshal Śmigły-Rydz appointed him commander of a Polish division in France and provisional commandant of the Coëtquidan training camp. From November 1939, he remained without command, and in January 1942, he was retired due to poor health. After returning to Poland in April 1946, he died just three months later on July 18, 1946, in Poznań.

The M 1921 sabre was produced in significant quantities during the interwar period. Contract records indicate that the A. Mann company supplied approximately 2,500 to 3,000 officer sabres between 1923 and 1939. Other manufacturers included G. Borowski in Warsaw, while some scabbards were produced by the German firm Carl Eickhorn Solingen. After World War II, Soviet-pattern shashka sabres were introduced in the Polish People's Army, though M 1921/22 sabres continued to be used. In 1969, Poland developed a new pattern following national tradition. The M 1921 remains highly valued by collectors as the first independent Polish officer sabre and a symbol of national rebirth.