M-1913 (Patton) Saber Basic Information

The M-1913 Enlisted Cavalry Saber, also known as the Patton Sword or Saber, remains one of the most sought after and attainable edged weapons produced. Over 35,000 were manufactured at the Springfield Armory, Springfield, MA, between 1913 and 1918. All are marked with SA, a flaming bomb and date on one side of the ricasso and with US and a serial number on the other side.

The saber is notable for several reasons. First, its design is attributed to Lieutenant George S. Patton, who gained initial notoriety as an athlete and fencing expert in the 1912 Olympics and then later as a Lt. General in WWII. Second, only a few thousand sabers are thought to have survived, as many were cut up to make trench knives for soldiers entering WWII. Additionally, the sword is well made and represents the last of the weapons authorized for use by the cavalry.

Variants:

An additional 93,000 sabers were contracted to the firm of Landers, Frary and Clark for production in 1917 and 1918. They have the L F & C marking in place of SA, usually have no serial number, but may bear an inspector number. All are dated 1918 and 1919.

As noted, thousands of M-1913 Cavalry Sabers were cut into sections to make fighting knives for WWII soldiers. Additionaly, the OSS had sabers made into drop kives for resistance forces in several countries. These all are higly collectable knives.

M-1913 Basic Data: