Patton Saber Exercise Manual date 1914

[jisii]

I recently bought a Box-Lot of gun related items (cleaning rods, brushes etc.) at a local auction and, in the bottom o the box, I found a small (4-1/8"x5-1/2") Army Manual "Saber Exercise" dated 1914, and written by George S.Patton (see PIC)


The manual has some staining on the front cover and someone has written some unintellagible on the back cover but is otherwise in good condition.

Would this be of any interest or have any value to Edged Weapons or Militaria collectors?

[jls77]

I would be interested in it. I recently came across a 1914 Swordsman Badge & am looking for a manual to go with it.

Jamie

[jisii]

reasonable offer

Hi Jamie, I have an interest in General Patton (my favorite Uncle served under him in WW2) but I am not a collector of edged weapons or Supporting documentation. I would, however, like to see it go to someone who appreciates such things. Make me a reasonable offer and I will mail it to you, doesn't have to be a whole lot as I only paid $25.00 for the whole box-lot. Please be aware someone has written on the back of the manual.

John I. Smith
Bedford PA
jisii@comcast.net

[Liam]

The Garand Collectors Association (GCA) magazine had an article recently that referenced a sabre that belonged to Patton. It was marked #1 and was presented to Patton in thanks (I guess) for his efforts in training the officer corps in swordsmanship. I guess Patton was quite proficient and explains why he is the one that wrote your manual.

[dave]

I once read that Patton was the only officer in the Army with the title of 'Master of the Sword'. Is this true? In the movie 'The Long Gray Line' Ward bond's part has the title. What gives??

[Dan Shapiro]

"The Master of the Sword" is the title given to the head of the Department of Physical Education at the United States Military Academy at West Point. The first Swordmaster was Pierre Thomas, appointed by Congress in 1814. There have been 28 Masters of the Sword since 1814. The only woman to serve as MOS was COL Maureen LeBoef, serving 1997-2004. The 28th and current Master of the Sword, serving since 2004, is Colonel Gregory Daniels.

Pierre Thomas Civilian 1814-1825
Pierre Tranque Civilian 1825-1827
Louis S. Simon Civilian 1827-1832
N. Albert Jumel Civilian 1832-1837
Ferdinand Dupare Civilian 1837-1840
H.G. Boulet Civilian 1840-1843
H.C. Wayne 1st Lieutenant 1843-1846
Patrice de Janon Civilian 1846-1857
Antone Lorentz Civilian 1858-1882
E.S. Farrow 1st Lieutenant 1882-1884
Herman J. Koehler Lt Col 1885-1923
Benjamin F. Hoge Major Jan-Jul 1924
Cuthbert P. Stearns Major 1924-1927
Edward L. Kelly Major 1927-1930
Clovis E. Byers 1st Lieutenant Mar-Jun 1930
Harold M. Rayner Major 1930-1934
William M. Miley Captain Apr-Jun 1934
William A. Holbrook Captain 1934-1938
George W. Smythe Captain 1938-1940
John W. Harmony Colonel 1940-1943
Carl F. Fritzsche Ltt Col 1943-1944
Francis M. Greene Colonel 1944-1953
Edwin A. Machen Lt Col 1952-1953
Frank J. Kobes, Jr. Colonel 1953-1974
James L. Anderson Colonel 1974-1997
Maureen LeBoeuf Colonel 1997-2004
Gregory L. Daniels Colonel 2004-

[pony soldier]

I would be interested in it. I recently came across a 1914 Swordsman Badge & am looking for a manual to go with it.

Jamie

JAMIE:
Read your post about the Swordsman badge. I have a great interesti in these swords and the knives that were made from them during ww2. Is the one you have an original or a reproduction?
Are you interested in selling or trading for it?

Pony Soldier

[PhillipM]

Dan, the paperwork pictured and a little internet research concur that Patton was master of the sword at the mounted service school, 15th cavalry, not West Point. I remember reading somewhere the Army sent him to France to study under their cavalry. This education made him "Master of the Sword". It's been ages since I skimmed through a copy but the main theme of the book is to use the point! Hacking and slashing is poor technique. Hope this helps in your next saber encounter.

[cavhooah]

Hello guys, first post.

I found some info on Patton in the "Marksmanship in the U.S. Army manual" by William Emerson, which I am sure you are all familiar with. It stated:

"Although Patton was good enough to place fifth in the Olympics, he still wanted to further improve his skills, and accordingly in the summer of 1913, he paid his own way to the French cavalry school at Saumur, where he studied swordsmanship for three months under the French fencing champion. Ordered to report to the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas, by October 1913, he became the first person to hold the impressive title of Master of the Sword."

If anyone else has any good references for this info, please let me know, as I am a Cavalry enthusiast and I am learning a great deal about our history and traditions. This is a great site and I hope to be able to contribute!

-Dan

[dave]

That's what I read in one of his biographs, he was the 'first to recieve the title'. His sword that he designed and was accepted had a straight blade and point for spearing rather then the curved blade for slashing, as was commen US practice.

[John Sukey]

Actualy Patton didn't design his sword. It is almost a direct copy with very minor differences of the last British Cavalry sword to be accepted. I have the British sword and once owned the Patton sword.

Now as a Japanese general once said during the Russo-Japanese war, "As long as there is a machine gun in the field, all the cavalry can do is sit down and cook rice."

[PhillipM]

Hello guys, first post.

I found some info on Patton in the "Marksmanship in the U.S. Army manual" by William Emerson, which I am sure you are all familiar with. It stated:

"Although Patton was good enough to place fifth in the Olympics, he still wanted to further improve his skills, and accordingly in the summer of 1913, he paid his own way to the French cavalry school at Saumur, where he studied swordsmanship for three months under the French fencing champion. Ordered to report to the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley, Kansas, by October 1913, he became the first person to hold the impressive title of Master of the Sword."

If anyone else has any good references for this info, please let me know, as I am a Cavalry enthusiast and I am learning a great deal about our history and traditions. This is a great site and I hope to be able to contribute!

-Dan

Welcome to the forum! Somewhere I read that Patton said the key to a sword fight is, "The point, the point, the point!", meaning a stabbing blow is much better than a slashing one.