Swords: Difference between revisions

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* These were the final forms of the European sword in military service. First appearing in Hungary in the 17th Century, they were universal in Europe's armies and navies by the mid 18th Century and remained in service until [[World War I]]; they still exist as ceremonial weapons. Obviously strongly influenced by the Arabian scimitar and Indian Talwar (see Middle Eastern Section below), as well as by the Cossack shashqa, these are single-edged, curved weapons frequently featuring basket hilts or D-shaped or bell-shaped handguards intended to protect more of the hand and fingers, much heavier than the rapier and in some instances about as heavy as a medieval arming sword or longsword. They were typically used with the same fencing techniques as the rapier. The saber became associated with cavalry, and the very similar cutlass (the cutlass is typically a bit shorter, to make it more maneuverable in the narrow passageways on board ship) became associated with naval service.

** Of note, the cavalry saber eventually evolved to become a blunt crushing implement, with a dull, narrow edge and heavy weight. When swung, the sword would break bones with ease, while not opening deep wounds and potentially becoming stuck. Such blades saw the heaviest use with the US cavalry in the American Indian Wars of the late 19th century.

***With the caveat that the US cavalry never had much of a saber tradition. Cavalry was not important in the American Revolution, certainly not as a European style shock arm, and in the Great Plains wars and the American Civil War, the chief weapons of the Federal, Confederate, and even the Texan cavalry were the revolver and the carbine.

***With the caveat that the US cavalry never had much of a saber tradition. Cavalry was not important in the American Revolution, certainly not as a European style shock arm, and in the Great Plains wars and the American Civil War, the chief weapons of the Federal, Confederate, and even the Texan cavalry were the revolver and the carbine. Plains tribes did not have access to as much ironmongery as Europeans, but did use their version of the lance for hand to hand fighting. They preferred rifles and carbines when they could get them too though.

***The war saber should not be confused with the fencing sporting saber. It is heavier and in many systems uses the edge more because of the needs of a mounted melee which often do not leave time for a thrust. For a demonstration of two masters of the saber go to this site:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5w2Mh6CyXo