The M1913 Patton Sword

Jim McDougall · 19th May 2021, 07:33 PM

While the sword had become effectively obsolete in warfare by the second half of the 19th century, it still remained stubbornly present in armies, primarily cavalry. There are many versions of the 'last cavalry charge with swords', and campaigns and battles where the sword was still in use.

However, ironically, what many have seen as the 'magnum opus' of the sword in the American context was designed and advocated by then lieutenant George S. Patton in 1913. Although our study of swords and edged weapons ends at the close of the 19th century, this sword serves as sort of a swan song for the weapon form as intended for combat.

General Patton was a brilliant swordsman, though of course more well known for his exploits in tanks and armored divisions in WWII. His love for the sword was what prompted him to join the cavalry upon graduating from West Point.

It appears that these straight bladed sword with large sheet steel guards were produced by the Springfield Armory from 1913-1918 in a number of about 35,000. An additional 93,000 were ordered from the firm of LF&C (Landers, Frery & Clark). While these were produced 1917-1918, they date mostly 1918 and 1919.

Despite the accolades for the swords' design, these never went to the front in WWI, and in fact were only ever carried once in conflict, a civil disturbance in 1934. These apparantly in later years and into WWII were cut down into fighting knives, some with regular style knife hilts, but some with the huge guard retained.

It would seem that these swords, effectively the final chapter in the cavalry sword, ended their careers as knives, but it is unclear how many. There was I believe an 'Anderson company' who did many conversions, but cannot recall details.

The M1913 sword has become a kind of uniquely desirable collectible, as it seems to have a notable rarity. I am wondering about how many of these remain out there in the arms community, and whether most were either destroyed or converted and subsequently lost.

It is believed that the M1913 sword was designed primarily after the Swedish M1893 cavalry sword, so hopefully this will be regarded chronologically as an extension of the 19th century form and not as 20th c. militaria, which is an entirely different field outside the scope of this forum.

19th May 2021, 07:33 PM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,945	The M1913 Patton Sword While the sword had become effectively obsolete in warfare by the second half of the 19th century, it still remained stubbornly present in armies, primarily cavalry. There are many versions of the 'last cavalry charge with swords', and campaigns and battles where the sword was still in use. However, ironically, what many have seen as the 'magnum opus' of the sword in the American context was designed and advocated by then lieutenant George S. Patton in 1913. Although our study of swords and edged weapons ends at the close of the 19th century, this sword serves as sort of a swan song for the weapon form as intended for combat. General Patton was a brilliant swordsman, though of course more well known for his exploits in tanks and armored divisions in WWII. His love for the sword was what prompted him to join the cavalry upon graduating from West Point. It appears that these straight bladed sword with large sheet steel guards were produced by the Springfield Armory from 1913-1918 in a number of about 35,000. An additional 93,000 were ordered from the firm of LF&C (Landers, Frery & Clark). While these were produced 1917-1918, they date mostly 1918 and 1919. Despite the accolades for the swords' design, these never went to the front in WWI, and in fact were only ever carried once in conflict, a civil disturbance in 1934. These apparantly in later years and into WWII were cut down into fighting knives, some with regular style knife hilts, but some with the huge guard retained. It would seem that these swords, effectively the final chapter in the cavalry sword, ended their careers as knives, but it is unclear how many. There was I believe an 'Anderson company' who did many conversions, but cannot recall details. The M1913 sword has become a kind of uniquely desirable collectible, as it seems to have a notable rarity. I am wondering about how many of these remain out there in the arms community, and whether most were either destroyed or converted and subsequently lost. It is believed that the M1913 sword was designed primarily after the Swedish M1893 cavalry sword, so hopefully this will be regarded chronologically as an extension of the 19th century form and not as 20th c. militaria, which is an entirely different field outside the scope of this forum. Attached Images