The Last Cavalry Sword: An Illustrated History of the Twilight Years of Cavalry Swords (UK) General George S. Patton and the US Army's Last Sword (US)

This book tells the story of the last sword ever designed by a major power for its army to use as a weapon, not as an article of a dress uniform. The sword was the U.S. Model 1913 Cavalry Saber; the designer was George S. Patton, then a lieutenant on the staff of the Army chief of staff. Patton participated in the modern pentathlon in Stockholm in 1912, which included fencing, coming fifth overall. No one in the U.S. Army could be better suited, therefore, to design its last major edged weapon. The Last Sword provides an illustrated overview of the history of cavalry swords and their employment on the battlefield from the end of the Renaissance, through the Napoleonic Era, the Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, culminating with the Patton cavalry saber, and includes descriptions of a number of the more famous cavalry charges. Patton's unswerving belief in the value of horse-mounted cavalry, and in the value of those troopers and officers being equipped with the sword he designed, is described using his own words. He continued to advocate horse-mounted cavalry right up to the start of the Second World War. Though mechanized squadrons replaced the conventional cavalry, it was not quite the end of Patton's sword as some Model 1913 Cavalry Sabers were converted to fighting knives carried by GIs during the war. The book is fully illustrated with images from the collections of the Smithsonian Institution Museum of American History, the Library of Congress, the General George S. Patton Museum, the National Museum of the U.S. Army, the Connecticut Historical Society, and from private collections, most of which have never been published before. AUTHOR: Residing in McLean, Virginia, C. Anthony Burke has long been interested in the development of the last sword designed by a major power for its army to use as a weapon, not as an article of a dress uniform. The results of his research appear in this book for the first time. 70 b/w illustrations

About the Author :
Residing in McLean, Virginia, C. ANTHONY BURKE has long been interested in the development of the last sword designed by a major power for its army to use as a weapon, not as an article of a dress uniform. The results of his research appear in this book for the first time.

Review :
"Now, in terms of this book, first of all, do I recommend you get it? Yes, actually I think if you're at all interested in swords of this period ... [the] book's really good, it covers a lot of ground... the second half of the book talking just about American swords I thought was absolutely fascinating and had loads of information..."--Matt Easton, Easton Antique Arms "This exceptional book will appeal to many interests ranging from sword experts, cavalry and World War 1 historians, to those with just a general interest in this topic. It is well presented, and it mainly follows the chronological development of swords. It gives much interesting information on Patton and his background which made him the ideal person to design the then latest model of sword. One can confidently say that the reader will not be disappointed by this review of the Model 1913 US sword and that the author has put a lot of effort into this publication."--Dr. Stuart C Blank, Military Archive Research "...an interesting adjunct to Patton's enthusiasm for cavalry."-- "Historical Miniatures Gaming Society" "A one-of a kind book, with a priceless three-page bibliography, it provides an illustrated overview of the history of cavalry swords and their employment on the battlefield..."-- "ARGunners.com"