Historian and museologist Zsuzsanna Kunics spoke about the artefact that can be seen throughout the month and its owner. He said: the curved blade of the end of the 19th century saber, worn by the Magyars, is made of nickel-plated steel, and its wide blood channel reaches the gilded copper hilt. The latter ends in a lion’s head, covered with mother-of-pearl sheets on both sides, and the edge of the handle is decorated with a bulging leafy branch. Its gilded cross iron is elongated S-shaped, in the middle, above the grip, a coat of arms can be seen on both sides. A silver Kossuth coat of arms was attached to the shield on the right. The wooden scabbard of the decorative saber is covered with black lacquered leather, its fittings are made of gilded copper, and their surface is richly decorated with plant ornaments.
– In the 19th century, in accordance with the historicizing taste of the time, some 16th-17th The so-called dzézgyar, the dzézruha, was created by reviving elements of men’s clothing from the 18th century, which became a symbol of “gentlemanship” from 1867 on, the expert continued. – On major holidays, women also wore Hungarian dress. The men’s formal dress consisted of a cap with eider feathers, a velvet jacket draped over the shoulder (half a shoulder), lined with fur, a silk dolman, tight-fitting trousers decorated with rich laces, knee-high boots or ankle-high shoes with laces on the sides, and a silk tie. The outfit was complemented by buttons with rich goldsmith work, a belt, a hat ornament, a belt and a sword belt. The sword was an indispensable part.
He added that it was added to the collection under the name “saber for decorative Hungarians” from the legacy of lawyer Sándor Eperjesy, the founder and president of the Dél-Zala Savings Bank. Together with some decorative objects (a pair of silver candlesticks with an engraved inscription, a certificate kept in a decorative leather folder) and personal objects (stamp press, stationery and ink holder, pen shaft, tie decorated with embroidery, waistcoat) given as a gift in 1895 on the occasion of the savings bank’s 25th anniversary, the the successor of the financial institution, the local branch of the National Savings Bank, preserved it and handed it over to the museum in 1963.
– Eperjesyt’s contemporaries knew him not only as an excellent and prominent figure in the public life of Kanizsa as president of the savings bank and as a city representative, but also as a former army officer from 1848-49 – continued Zsuzsanna Kunics. – In the long eulogies and obituaries published in local newspapers at the time of his death, it was highlighted that he participated in the freedom struggle as a 17-year-old youth. “Next to Damjanic’s side, he fought it with glory throughout the southern region. Damjanics appreciated his military virtues by promoting him to officer.” – the journalist remembered him. Sándor Eperjesy was born on February 2, 1831 in Tabód, Tolna County. He completed his secondary school and law studies in Pécs. During the War of Independence, he served as a lieutenant in the 41st Home Guard Battalion on the battlefields of the Southern Region.
He was drafted into the Imperial Army after the lay-down of Läger, and was a private in Tyrol for two years. After returning home, he worked as a clerk in Pinkafő, Szekszárd and Budapest. He settled in Nagykanizsa in 1865, became a town clerk, and then worked as a lawyer from 1867. He played an active role in the economic and administrative life of Zala County and Nagykanizsa. In 1870, he founded the Dél-Zala Savings Bank, of which he remained president until his death. He was the founder and president of Fürdő-Rezsvénytársaság, vice president of Kereskedelmi és Iparbank, Sörgyár and Nagykanizsai Tárházak Rt., member of the supervisory board of Alsómuraközi Takarékpénztár, which he also participated in founding. He was a member of the county legislative committee and the city council. He died on May 31, 1906 in Nagykanizsa.