Model 1913 Cavalry Saber
Encyclopedia
The Model 1913 Cavalry Saber was designed by Second Lieutenant
(later General
) George S. Patton
in 1913, when he was Master of the Sword
at the Mounted Service School, and is commonly referred to as the Patton Saber. Following the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm
, Patton traveled with his family to Dresden
, Berlin
, and Nuremberg
. Seeking the greatest swordsman in Europe
to study with, Patton was told the “beau sabreur” of the French Army
would be the one. Adjutant M. Clèry was a French “master of arms” and instructor of fencing at the Cavalry School
at Saumur
. Patton went to Saumur to undergo an intense study with the master. Upon return Patton wrote a report on his sword studies that was revised for the Army and Navy Journal. Patton’s first article for the well known Cavalry Journal
appeared in the March, 1913 issue. In the summer of 1913, following his advising the Ordnance Department on sword redesign, Patton was allowed to return to Saumur to study once again under Clèry.
The design was influenced by the French heavy cavalry sword of the Napoleonic Wars as well as French cavalry doctrine that emphasized the use of the point over the edge.
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, and which emphasized the use of the point over the edge.
Its design is reflected and seen in today's Hungarian saber, which is used 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".
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
(later General
General
A general officer is an officer of high military rank, usually in the army, and in some nations, the air force. The term is widely used by many nations of the world, and when a country uses a different term, there is an equivalent title given....
) George S. Patton
George S. Patton
George Smith Patton, Jr. was a United States Army officer best known for his leadership while commanding corps and armies as a general during World War II. He was also well known for his eccentricity and controversial outspokenness.Patton was commissioned in the U.S. Army after his graduation from...
in 1913, when he was Master of the Sword
Master of the Sword
The Master of the Sword, or MOS, is the title of the head of the Department of Physical Education and the director of the program of physical instruction at the United States Military Academy at West Point. This position is unique in that the physical program at the academy is both academic and...
at the Mounted Service School, and is commonly referred to as the Patton Saber. Following the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital and the largest city of Sweden and constitutes the most populated urban area in Scandinavia. Stockholm is the most populous city in Sweden, with a population of 851,155 in the municipality , 1.37 million in the urban area , and around 2.1 million in the metropolitan area...
, Patton traveled with his family to Dresden
Dresden
Dresden is the capital city of the Free State of Saxony in Germany. It is situated in a valley on the River Elbe, near the Czech border. The Dresden conurbation is part of the Saxon Triangle metropolitan area....
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
, and Nuremberg
Nuremberg
Nuremberg[p] is a city in the German state of Bavaria, in the administrative region of Middle Franconia. Situated on the Pegnitz river and the Rhine–Main–Danube Canal, it is located about north of Munich and is Franconia's largest city. The population is 505,664...
. Seeking the greatest swordsman in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
to study with, Patton was told the “beau sabreur” of the French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
would be the one. Adjutant M. Clèry was a French “master of arms” and instructor of fencing at the Cavalry School
Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School
The Armoured Cavalry Branch Training School is a French military training establishment at Saumur. Originally set up to train the cavalry of the French Army, it now trains the troops of France's arme blindée et cavalerie in reconnaissance and armoured warfare.- History :In 1763, Louis XV ...
at Saumur
Saumur
Saumur is a commune in the Maine-et-Loire department in western France.The historic town is located between the Loire and Thouet rivers, and is surrounded by the vineyards of Saumur itself, Chinon, Bourgueil, Coteaux du Layon, etc...
. Patton went to Saumur to undergo an intense study with the master. Upon return Patton wrote a report on his sword studies that was revised for the Army and Navy Journal. Patton’s first article for the well known Cavalry Journal
Armor (magazine)
ARMOR is the professional journal of the U.S. Army’s Armor Branch, published by the Chief of Armor at Fort Knox, Kentucky, training center for the Army’s tank and cavalry forces...
appeared in the March, 1913 issue. In the summer of 1913, following his advising the Ordnance Department on sword redesign, Patton was allowed to return to Saumur to study once again under Clèry.
The design was influenced by the French heavy cavalry sword of the Napoleonic Wars as well as French cavalry doctrine that emphasized the use of the point over the edge.
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
United States Department of War
The United States Department of War, also called the War Department , was the United States Cabinet department originally responsible for the operation and maintenance of the United States Army...
as the 1914 Saber Exercise manual, and which emphasized the use of the point over the edge.
Its design is reflected and seen in today's Hungarian saber, which is used 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".