The 1913 saber was intended to be used as a "short lance" by a mounted horseman; the back edge was sharpened about a third of the way back from the point to allow for easier extraction from the person stuck. It could be used for cutting, but it was really designed more for sticking someone. Well balanced, though, and well thought out. Yes, the US supposedly took the best of the British and French sabers and came up with the 1913. BTW, Patton was Master of the Sword at Ft. Riley, Kansas at the time and actually had some input on the design but not as much as people usually think.

When my right arms heals up enough I'm going back to fencing saber -- I've got a Hutton model as well as...well....