Model 1913 Cavalry Saber

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The Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was designed by Second Lieutenant (later General) George S. Patton in 1910, when he was Master of the Sword at the Mounted Service School, and is commonly referred to as the "Patton Saber". Its design is said to be heavily influenced by the British Army's 1908 and 1912 cavalry swords [1].

The Model 1913 saber features a large, basket-shaped hilt mounting a straight, double-edged, thrusting blade designed for use by heavy cavalry. It was designed in accordance with Patton's system of swordsmanship, which was published by the War Department as the 1914 Saber Exercise manual,[2] and which emphasized the use of the point over the edge [3]

Its design is reminiscent of the Hungarian saber used today in sport fencing, but is heavier. A modern reproduction is 44" overall, 35" blade and weighs two and one-half pounds. The blade is straight and tapered, the front edge running the whole length of the blade and double edged for half its length. Considering the weight of the bell and grip assembly it would be balanced much closer to the hand than the typical weapon associated with the name 'cavalry saber'.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Robson, Brian [1975] (1996). Swords of the British Army, The Regulation Patterns 1788 to 1914, Revised Edition, Chelsea: National Army Museum. ISBN 0-901721-33-6. 
  2. ^ Saber Exercise 1914
  3. ^ The M1913 "Patton" Saber