Model 1902 Army Officers' Sword

The Model 1902 Army Officers' Saber is a sword that is used by officers of the United States Army.[1]

The official nomenclature for the current regulation U.S. Army saber is “saber for all officers, Model 1902”. The Model 1902 Officers Saber was adopted on July 17, 1902 by authority of General Order No. 81. The M1902 saber was authorized for all officers with the exception of Chaplains. The lightly curved blade measured between 30-34 inches long with weights initially specified by the U.S. Army to be between 20.2 to 22.8 ounces (573 to 647 grams) and a point of balance of 3.25 inches from the hilt as specified for infantry sabers. [2] The U.S. Army saber model 1902 was designed to be a replacement for the U.S model 1850 for foot Officers, and the model 1872 for the cavalry. This new design was developed in response to a request for a lighter cut and thrust weapon that Soldier’s “can actually fight with”.[3]

The final design of the M1902 was the result of many years of study and experimentation starting in 1871 by Henry V. Allien & Company that developed the M1902 in collaboration with General John Cunningham Kelton who was an expert swordsman and Adjutant General of the Army. After many years of research by Mr. Allien through his numerous trips to Europe and making a number of patterns, with both straight and curved blades, the present regulation sword was completed and laid before General John C. Kelton who recommended making it less curved from center to point, the latter to be in line with the gripe, so as to give greater force in thrusting. When the uniform board met in Washington in June 1902, five pattern swords that Henry V. Allien & Company were working on, three with straight blades and two with curved were submitted along with the Ordnance Department who had the same number to submit. The result was that one of the Allien swords was adopted, the very one approved by General Kelton.[4]

The M1902's modern role is ceremonial in the modern army. It is used in parades and ceremonies by commissioned officers in command of troops in formation and under arms. As a presentation saber, the M1902 is also sometimes given to newly commissioned officers of distinction or as retirement or change of command gifts.

References

  1. ↑ Nalty, Bernard C. (1999). War in the Pacific Pearl Harbor to Tokyo Bay. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 58. ISBN 9780806131993. Retrieved 6 January 2016.
  2. ↑ Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year Ended in June 30,1905. Vol. IX Chief of Ordnance. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905.) p. 126, 136
  3. ↑ Harold Peterson, The American Sword 1775-1945 (New York: Dover Publications, INC., 2003) p. 61.
  4. ↑ Annual Reports of the War Department for the Fiscal Year Ended in June 30,1905. Vol. IX Chief of Ordnance. (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1905.) p. 124.


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