1904 Austrian Cavalry Saber – Universal Swords
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- Every blade inspected before shipping
- 30-day returns
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Overall Length
- 40 1/8''
- Weight
- 2 lb 1.5 oz
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- Austrian
- Era
- World Wars
Overview
1904 Austrian Cavalry Saber - Universal Swords
This reproduction of the 1904 Austrian Cavalry Saber has a pipe-back blade forged from 1065 high carbon steel which is stoutly mounted into a hilt of steel and completed with a grip of faux blackened rayskin. The sword is paired with a scabbard of steel with steel hanging rings.
The 1904 Austrian Cavalry Saber was designed by the Inspector General of the Cavalry and, after undergoing a number of minor revisions, was officially adopted for use in 1908. It was issued throughout the Austro-Hungarian Empire and was well received by troopers and officers alike for several reasons. Chiefly, it offered a slightly curved blade with a pipe back and strong point that was ground thin enough at the edge to cut well in the m while remaining stiff and strong enough to thrust with in the charge. Also, it had a low profile and an asymmetrically shaped, body-hugging guard, whose shell was pierced by 27 holes which reduced weight and improved balance. This uniquely shaped half basket guard gave excellent protection to the thumb, fingers, wrist and forearm without the awkward ''bulk'' associated with other saber guards of the day.
Specifications
Every measurement that matters
- Brand
- Universal Swords
- Culture
- Austrian
- Era
- World Wars
- Pommel
- Nut
- Overall Length
- 40 1/8''
- Blade Length
- 33 1/2''
- Blade
- 1060-1065 High Carbon Steel
- Weight
- 2 lb 1.5 oz
- Edge
- Unsharpened
- P.O.B.
- 7 3/16''
- Thickness
- 6.8 mm - 4.4 mm
- Width
- 28.6 mm
- Grip Length
- 4 1/2''
- Class
- Battle Ready
- Country of Origin
- India
- Type
- Saber
Reviews
What collectors are saying
Q&A
Questions from the community
Q What is this saber built for, and what can I use it for? Common Question
This is a battle-ready reproduction of the 1904 Austrian cavalry saber, built with a 1060-1065 high carbon steel pipe-back blade and a steel basket hilt faithful to the original pattern. It ships unsharpened, so it's best suited to display, collecting, and historical study of early 20th-century cavalry arms rather than live cutting. It can be sharpened with our optional sharpening service to make it a functional cutting sword.
Q What steel is the blade made from, and how long is it? Common Question
The blade is forged from 1060-1065 high carbon steel, running 33 1/2'' long with an overall length of 40 1/8''. Blade thickness tapers from 6.8 mm near the guard down to 4.4 mm toward the tip, giving the pipe-back blade its stiffness up front and a thinner profile further along.
Q Does this saber come sharp? Common Question
No, this saber ships with an unsharpened edge. That makes it well suited for handling, display, and study of the pattern without a live edge to manage. It can be sharpened with our optional sharpening service to make it a functional cutting sword.
Q Is this a full-tang, functional sword? Common Question
The tang runs the full length of the grip and is secured at the pommel by a peened nut, the same construction used on original cavalry sabers of this type and on other battle-ready swords in general. That's a durable, functional build meant to keep the blade and hilt as one solid unit rather than relying on a bolt-on grip.
Q How does the balance feel in the hand? Common Question
The point of balance sits 7 3/16'' out from the guard, which keeps the blade's weight forward of the hand for the kind of mounted slashing and thrusting actions the 1904 pattern was designed around. Combined with an overall weight of 2 lb 1.5 oz, it handles in a way consistent with its original cavalry role rather than as a lighter dueling or stage sword.
Q What is the hilt and grip made of? Common Question
The hilt is steel, built as a low-profile, asymmetrical half-basket guard pierced with holes to cut weight and improve balance, just as on the original pattern. The grip is wrapped in faux blackened rayskin, and the photographs show it finished in a dark, textured wrap secured with visible rivets for a secure hold.
Q What does the scabbard look like, and can I store the blade in it long-term? Common Question
The scabbard is steel, finished to match the blade, with steel hanging rings mounted on raised bands for belt or baldric suspension. Steel scabbards like this one can trap moisture against the blade, so for long-term storage it's better to keep the sword out of the scabbard, wiped down and lightly oiled.
Q How do I maintain this saber? Common Question
Wipe the blade down after handling to remove fingerprints and moisture, then apply a light coat of oil to the high carbon steel to prevent rust. Store it in a dry place out of its steel scabbard, since the scabbard can hold moisture against the blade over time.
Q What historical sword does this reproduce? Common Question
This piece reproduces the 1904 Austrian cavalry saber, designed by the Inspector General of the Cavalry and officially adopted in 1908 across the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Its curved, pipe-back blade and low-profile, pierced half-basket guard were valued by troopers for combining cutting ability with a strong thrusting point and excellent hand protection.
The Maker
Universal Swords
With origins going back to 1960, India’s Universal Swords has been making reproduction swords for decades. With an emphasis on military sabers, universal produces a number of designs not found elsewhere. As the official US distributor of Universal Swords, KOA will be expanding to stock their entire line over time.
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