sabre

Sabre is a type of backsword with a single-edged, moderately curved blade designed for slashing and thrusting. The blade is typically curved with a strong point, and many examples feature a false edge near the tip. The hilt commonly includes a guard to protect the hand, and grip styles range from straight wooden handles to wire-wrapped designs.

The term derives from Hungarian szablya and entered Western languages via French and German sources. Sabres were developed in Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East and spread widely from the 17th to the 19th centuries as cavalry weapons, valued for reach and slashing power. Subtypes included the Polish szabla, Hungarian sabr, and various Russian, British, and Ottoman patterns. While principally a cavalry weapon, lighter and more refined forms were used by infantry and for ceremonial purposes.

In military use, the sabre remained prominent through the Napoleonic era and into the modern period in various armies, eventually giving way to firearms and changing tactics. Today the sabre survives mainly in ceremonial roles, historical reenactments, and as a collectible or functional reproduction for martial arts practice.

In sport fencing, sabre is one of the three weapons. Sabre fencing emphasizes speed and cutting motions as well as thrusts, with the target area covering the upper body above the waist, including the head and arms. Points can be scored with either the edge or the tip, subject to rule-based rights of way.

Overall, the sabre remains a versatile symbol of historical cavalry swordcraft and a practical component of both historical study and modern fencing.