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Military Swords, Sabers and cutlass

Military swords from pre American Revolution to modern.

From the Renaissance to the 19th century, civilian swords had been towards more of a pure thrusting design. The military swords were designed to slash at an enemy. This was primarily due to the increased use cavalry. The curved blade of the saber was a perfect design for mounted cavalry fighting other mounted troops or infantry. The saber was used as a primary weapon from before the American revolution through the end of the American Civil War. It's use began to decline with the introduction of the revolver during the Civil War. Today the saber is used in military ceremonies and as awards and decorations.

The Cutlass is also a saber designed for use by a navy. It's straight or curved blade is much shorter than the normal military saber. This made the cutlass the perfect boarding weapon due to the close quarters of sailing ships of the 1600s and 1700s. The thick blade made it a valuable to for slashing through canvas, ropes and wood. The hilt often featured a solid cup or basket guard.