When does a backsword become a Sabre.

[Dave B]

I've never really studied either, except for the odd backsword class at Fightcamp.

To me they are both single edged, single handed swords that mostly cut, but can thrust - they seem to me just to be a continious process of development.

So it's silly question time. When does one become the other, both chronologically and in terms of construction and use?

[Phil C]

Pedanticaly speaking a sabre must have a curved edge, whereas backswords tend to be straight (the turcael blade being the most notable exception). Backswords tend to have greater hand protection than a sabre, though this is a very sweeping statement but it does mean that one can rely on the basket while making actions in broadsword that are not a very good idea in sabre.

Another difference is that backsword method tends to use a chop or offensive action from guard-to-guard much more and fences in-the-round to make distance, whereas sabre works with the various forms of moulinet action and is primarily linear using a lunge-and-recover action to make distance.

This is fairly evident at either ends of the dateline (c16th-19th)but gets muddied in the middle somewhat where one gets "Regimental " methods used by Highland regiments which use a traditional style of basket hilt sword but in a very sabre style. As an aside things seem to be deemed "Highland" in the C19th fencing world if they use a slip of the lead leg when making any or all defensive actions.

Caveat:There are, as usual, exceptions and contradictions to have everything I have said

[admin]

In brief, one doesn't become the other.
It all comes down to how you define a backsword (by the blade or by the hilt) and how you define a sabre (ie. whether you believe it MUST be curved in the blade). Depending on how we define things (which is really a matter of personal choice), you could say that a sabre is just a curved backsword. Or you could say that a sabre is a backsword without a basket-hilt.
Basket-hilts never truly disappeared - they are still on Highland officer's swords... - but they did become less popular. Basket-hilts were used by heavy cavalry still until the late-18thC in many countries, often paired with a straight single-edged blade (therefore what most people would recognise as a 'backsword'). Then towards the end of the 18thC less restrictive hilts became more popular and became what most modern people would call sabre hilts. Both straight and curved single-edged blades were carried throughout the 18th and 19th centuries by different branches of different national militaries.

In essence there is no real difference between a backsword and a sabre. In reality what most people think of as a backsword more or less disappeared by about 1790 and what most people would consider a sabre became the predominant sword of most cavalry around 1790. Hangers and spadroons were the most popular infantry officer's swords between about 1700 and 1800, then sabres took over and became more or less universal by 1825.

[Dave B]

Excellent answers, Thanks.

[admin]

In terms of use, say between early 18thC backsword and 19thC sabre, I would say that the defining difference is due to the guard. With a great big basket hilt you can use certain types of hanging guard, or with the arm held out straight with the point upwards, which would get your hand cut to pieces with a normal sabre hilt. And where you hold the sword 'en garde' to start with (say with point up v point extended, or with arm straight v arm bent) dictates how you cut and whether it is more appropriate to cut directly or make a moulinette.