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Maggie’s The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

cavscout1983

cavscout1983

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Full Member
Minuteman
Apr 1, 2007
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Tulsa, OK
#1
I will not post the article here out respect for the original author and as to not step on the toes of the original author, but here is a great article on what all transpired to eliminate the saber from inventory and use and why.

The basic gist of the article is similar to current and ever ongoing quandary of beloved issue items being abruptly canceled at the behest of out of touch officers with no attachment to the great history which they have the power to trounce on.

Here too is a great article compiled from several written by Gen. Patton himself on the usefulness of the saber.

While I am not advocating a return to horse cavalry and saber use, hopefully you all find the history of its demise interesting and educational.

Just as we today have ceremonial vestiges of once field use items, I feel it would have been a nod to the service of millions of Cavalrymen and Mounted Infantry to retain the saber in ceremonial use for all NCOs and Officers. Sadly, the rampant fanaticism for the emerging Armor branch ( which does more to rape and defile its own history than any other branch), led to the encompassing disuse and destruction of thousands of pieces of history.

It would have been, and will continue to be, courteous for the Department of Defense to allow purchase of to be discontinued items if they are legally able to be owned outside of garrison HQ.
 
#3
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

This goes along the line of my reasons for leaving the Army. Times are changing, some are forgetting the reasons for tradition and how much it means to us. I was never calvary but had a few good friends who were. Next thing you know they will take away our blue cords.

History is why we are, who we are. Take that away and the Soldier has no reason to feel proud of his accomplishments or aspire to reach the next level.
 
#4
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

I don't foresee the blue cord going away anytime soon...unless the sky changes color
wink.gif
 
#5
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

Can anyone guess what the actual color designation was for the US Infantry until after the civil war?
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.
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.
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Hint: it wasn't sky Blue.
Note I was army for over 7 years so i am not trying to degrade the army or anyone who also served.


 
#7
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ramrod14(winkie)</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone guess what the actual color designation was for the US Infantry until after the civil war?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hint: it wasn't sky Blue.
Note I was army for over 7 years so i am not trying to degrade the army or anyone who also served.


</div></div>

I am guessing YELLOW
 
#8
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

sad to say times are changing.. hell how many uniforms have we gone through in the past 10 yrs..? sadly i have heard and seen folks say they were not going to deploy because they only joined to get college.. or didnt think they would have to deploy was another good one.. you joined a military and didnt think you might get called to go to war.?? dont think college is going to help ya.. but as i do respect the folks that are still serving i in turn lose more respect for them.. sucks that tradition and honor seems to be more of a punch line to a joke these days..
 
#9
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Ramrod14(winkie)</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Can anyone guess what the actual color designation was for the US Infantry until after the civil war?
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Hint: it wasn't sky Blue.
Note I was army for over 7 years so i am not trying to degrade the army or anyone who also served.


</div></div>




I found it! Used Ask Jeves

Infantry Blue Cord

General Washington selected the color blue to distinguish his tough and resolute infantry in the Continental Army from other types of soldiers. General LaFayette chose a light blue color to outfit his American Infantry Corps. For the next 120 years, the official Infantry color alternated between blue and white until 1904 when the Army officially adopted what we now know as "Infantry Blue."

In 1951, the Army leadership sought to encourage and recognize foot soldiers who were bravely fighting intense battles in Korea. They soon adopted the Infantry Blue Cord. This cord would only be worn by fully qualified Infantrymen and would announce for all to see that these men would be on the front line when our nation was at war.

Jamie
 
#10
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

So went the demise of my most favorite weapon ever, the Model 1860 Cutlass and Model 1917 Cutlass. Fortunately the Marine's did not see fit to rid themselves of the highly regarded Mamaluke Sword or the NCO Sword. The Cav is almost as well steeped in tradition and the Corps, however the fact they got rid of the sabers speaks to their respect for tradition.

When one fights first with foil, then eppe, then graduates to saber, one knows well the strikes to debilitate a foe and win a match that would well be a death or mortal contest if blades were sharp.
5 years of matches, 5 losses(all those to the instructor, but I won the last one). If you have not tried fencing as a sport, get rid of the golf clubs and have some real fun!
 
#11
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: KNIGHT11B4</div><div class="ubbcode-body">This goes along the line of my reasons for leaving the Army. Times are changing, some are forgetting the reasons for tradition and how much it means to us. I was never cavalry(sp corrected) but had a few good friends who were. Next thing you know they will take away our blue cords.

History is why we are, who we are. Take that away and the Soldier has no reason to feel proud of his accomplishments or aspire to reach the next level. </div></div>

The Army has been FUBAR since just after the Gulf War when Clinton started cashing in the "peace dividend". I got out during that time because a fully trained surgeon had no value to the Army. Go figure. I bet they would take me back today though.
I have a good friend still in and fighting the big green machine 24/7. One of the latest things is they spent millions on tool sets for aviation and the wrenches are chrome plated pieces of shit. When he pointed out the wrenches don't conform to the bible of aviation maintenance they got all pissed off at him for calling attention to the screw-up. That kind of kiss ass bullshit is pervasive throughout the procurement system. They are worried because they have all this stuff from a vendor and the vendor did not meet the spec but the procurement weenies have their noses so far up the ass of the vendors it is too hard to see the solution to the problem.
We have the same problem in the hospital now. It used to be that we only got the best. The best equipment, best band-aids, best whatever. Now we get the cheapest. And it sucks. Go pull the beret off a soldiers head and see what country it is mad in. It won't be the USA. All our shit comes from China now.
If the cav did issue new sabres they would be made in China.
 
#12
Re: The demise of the U.S. Cavalry Saber

Correct Beck,jamie. It was white for the longest period within the history of the US Infantry. Their branch of service piping, pant stripes and chevrons were all white. It was at the turn of the century when the blue uniform was retired for the kakia (sic?) uniform.
As a side note the confederate army infantry color: piping, stripes and chevrons were sky blue.
 
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