US Army Model 1913 Cavalry "Patton" Saber -
Lieutenant Patton was made the Army's youngest-ever "Master of the Sword" at the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas. While Master of the Sword, Patton became an instructor at Fort Riley and improved and modernized the Army's cavalry saber fencing techniques and earlier in the year assisted in the design of the Model 1913 Cavalry Saber. Patton's 1914 manual "Saber Exercise" outlined a system of training aimed at developing proficiency in both the mounted and the on foot use of the saber. Patton suggested the revision from a curved sword and edge and cutting technique to a thrusting style of attack, following his extensive training in France. Patton's thought development was expressed in his 1913 report "The Form and Use of the Saber".
The Model 1913 Cavalry Saber had a large, basket-shaped hilt mounting a straight, double-edged, thrusting blade designed for use by light cavalry. The saber became to be known as the "Patton Saber".
The item featured on this section of the website is a US Army Patton saber.
The handle is made of wood. Painted black. Two rivets hold the handle together. the spine of the handle is
made of metal. It rxtends from the base of the handguard and curves to form the pommel. The spine has a
series small of protrutions, similar to a cheese grader. This feature provides a better gripping
surface.
The throat of the blade has a flaming bomb stamped on it. The letter "S" is placed to one side of the bomb
while the letter "A" is found on the other side. The year 1914 is written just below the bomb.
The other side of the blade's throat has the letters "US" and the number 21855 written just below the
letters.
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The scabbard is made of wood and covered with khaki colored canvis. The tip of the scabbard has a
rounded metal insert held in place by three rivets.
These weapons were never used as intended. At the beginning of U.S. involvement in World War I, several American cavalry units armed with sabers were brought to the front but they were held back; the nature of war had changed, making horse-mounted troops easy prey for enemy troops equipped with Gewehr 98 rifles and MG08 machine guns. Cut and thrust saber attacks had become obsolete.
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This US edge weapon is currently being
reproduced.
It is becoming more difficult to be able to tell the fake ones from the real ones because
the quality of the reproductions is improving. The collector must become familiarized with
the construction style and materials employed in the manufacturing of this edge weapon.
Attention to the details is critical in order to be able to determine the authenticity of
the collectible.
If you have an interest is seeing other WWII edge weapons, you can do so by
going to our
WWII US Edge Weapons
identification guide. Where we cover Army, Navy, Army Air Force and other organizations.
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