Museum Nice saber.

[major bill]

Saw this today.

Would this be a dress saber or something an officer would carry in the field?

 

[gjpratt]

Looks like a "working" sword that would be carried on the field. M1850 foot officer's sword was regulation for a captain at 1st Bull Run.

 

[steamboater]

Saw this today.

View attachment 443579
Would this be a dress saber or something an officer would carry in the field?View attachment 443578

Nice sword, not nice saber. Swords have relatively straight blades, with the design used for thrusting. A saber has a markedly curved blade, designed for efficient hacking at a foot soldier from horseback. The museum correctly has the card listing the object as a sword.

 

[Jim in Wisconsin]

So how is the word "sword" pronounced? Is the "w" sounded or is it silent like the "P" in swimming?