The cavalry saber reached an incomparable level of popularity during the
Napoleonic wars. An efficient weapon of war with somewhat heroic overtones,
it was used by officers on foot as well as troopers mounted on horseback.
It had one drawback. For civilian use, formal, or ceremonial occasions, it
was a bit cumbersome, even awkward, as even the lightest models were too
heavy and long for practicality. Additionally, the multiple bar hilt, which
effectively protected one's hand from an opposing blade, would occasionally
catch, snag, or hook on objects it touched in passing.
The solution was to scale the military saber down to about the size and
weight of a small sword and replace the hilt with a spring loaded folding
mechanism equipped with a single knuckle bow.
This modification allowed the civilian saber to avoid snags and be worn much
closer to the body on the lighter belts and baldrics favored for civilian
and military dress attire. It turned out to be a very effective weapon as
well. Worn for self-defense, or as a sign of authority, it shortly became a
common military dress accessory, even to this day.
Now Cold Steel would like to offer you our interpretation of the civilian or
military dress saber. The hilt features a highly detailed British lion motif
and comes complete with a matching folding guard that locks to the scabbard.
For contrast, the grip is made of rich black leather and bound in highly
polished brass wire.
Complementing the hilt is an equally rich yet sturdy scabbard. Made of thick
black leather and heavily reinforced with a polished brass chape, throat,
and hanging rings, it's elegant enough for the most formal occasions yet
stout enough to endure hard wear and last for generations.
But you've got to draw the blade from the scabbard to fully appreciate the
genius of our Civilian Saber. Hand forged out of 1050 high carbon steel with
a hard spring temper, it sports a narrow, modestly curved 32" blade that
terminates in a wickedly effective point. Primarily thought of as a
thrusting weapon, our Civilian Saber can deliver a surprisingly deep cut due
to its carefully hand honed edge. It's stout enough to defend against much
larger weapons, yet light enough to be fenced from the fingers and wrist
like a small sword. It can outmaneuver more ponderous blades while remaining
ready to deliver a telling blow or lightning quick thrust.