The saber or saber traces its origin back to the European backsword and usually, but not always has a curved singled ended edge.  The hilt usually contained a hand guard which is a diminished version of the basket guard more commonly found on fencing or Spanish swords. The Sabre with its signature curved blade, was heavily used as the primary sword for cavalry for several hundred years.  The saber was first introduced to Europe with the arrival of the Hungarians in the 10^th century.  The saber was used in battle situations as recent as the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863 during the civil war, and most recently during World War I until the advent of the mechanized calvary.  During civil war, the confederate cavalry used the saber as its primary tool during mounted attacks.  Over the years, one of the most effective use of the saber occurred during the Napoleonic wars.  Napoleon used the heavy cavalry to change the tide of the battles and the weapon used was invariably, the saber.

The wearing of the saber was finally relegated to the status of a ceremonial weapon after roughly 1930.  Today the saber is a still in use as part of the formal uniform for many military segments of many countries all over the world.

The saber is still an impressive weapon, with a unique style that decries a glorious past.  It carries with its long curved blade a sense of rigid duty, and singleness of purpose.  From the glorious past depicted in classic civil war paintings showing an officer on a horse wildly swinging his saber over his head in a call to charge, to the ceremonial displays of today’s military, the saber is more than just a wall hanger – it is history.