The sabre or saber traces its origins to the European backsword and usually but not always has a curved, single-edged blade and a rather large hand guard, covering the knuckles of the hand as well as the thumb and forefinger. Although sabres are typically thought of as curved-bladed slashing weapons, those used by the world's heavy cavalry often had straight and even double-edged blades more suitable for thrusting. The length of sabres varied, and most were carried in a scabbard hanging from a shoulder belt known as a baldric or from a waist-mounted sword belt. Exceptions not intended for personal carry include the famed Patton saber adopted by the U.S. Army in 1913 and always mounted to the cavalryman's saddle.
Originally, the sabre was used as a cavalry weapon that gradually came to replace the various straight bladed cutting sword types on the battlefield. As time went on, sabres became insignia of rank in many armies, and dress use of sabres continues to this day in some armed services around the world.
The sabre saw extensive military use in the early 19th century, particularly in the Napoleonic Wars, during which Napoleon used heavy cavalry charges to great effect against his enemies. The sabre faded as a weapon by mid-century. In the American Civil War, the sabre was used infrequently as a weapon, but saw notable deployment in the Battle of Brandy Station and at East Cavalry Field at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Many cavalrymen - particularly on the Confederate side - eventually abandoned the long, heavy weapons in favour of revolvers and carbines. Although there was extensive debate over the effectiveness of white weapons such as the sabre and lance, the sabre remained the standard weapon of cavalry for mounted action in most armies until World War I (1914-18). Thereafter it was gradually relegated to the status of a ceremonial weapon until the mechanisations of most horse cavalry from 1930 on.
During the 19th and in the early 20th century, sabres were also used by both mounted and dismounted personnel in some European police forces. The awkward and heavy sabre was later phased out in favour of the baton for both practical and humanitarian reasons.
Our version of the US Marine Sword has an overall length of 36 inches with a 28 inch hand polished stainless steel blade and is etched with the CSA United States Marines engraving. The brass basket hilt is accented with brass studs and a hardwood grip and is accompanied with a genuine leather sheath.
