Modern use thumb|175px|right|A British Hussar general with a scabbarded kilij of Turkish manufacture (1812) thumb|175px|right|The briquet, typical infantry sabre of the Napoleonic Wars thumb|175px|right|French Navy sabre of the 19th century, boarding sabre thumb|175px|right|Lieutenant Colonel Teófilo Marxuach's M1902 officer's sabre and scabbard at the National Historic Trust site at Castillo San Cristóbal in San Juan, Puerto RicoThe sabre saw extensive military use in the early 19th century, particularly in the Napoleonic Wars, during which Napoleon used heavy cavalry charges to great effect against his enemies. Shorter versions of the sabre were also used as sidearms by dismounted units, although these were gradually replaced by fascine knives and sword bayonets as the century went on. Although there was extensive debate over the effectiveness of weapons such as the sabre and lance, the sabre remained the standard weapon of cavalry for mounted action in most armies until World War I and in a few armies until World War II. Thereafter it was gradually relegated to the status of a ceremonial weapon, and most horse cavalry was replaced by armoured cavalry from the 1930s onward.
modern use thumb|175px|right|a british hussar general with a scabbarded kilij of turkish manufacture (1812) thumb|175px|right|the briquet typical infantry sabre of the napoleonic wars thumb|175px|right|french navy sabre of the 19th century boarding sabre thumb|175px|right|lieutenant colonel teófilo marxuach's m1902 officer's sabre and scabbard at the national historic trust site at castillo san cristóbal in san juan puerto ricothe sabre saw extensive military use in the early 19th century particularly in the napoleonic wars during which napoleon used heavy cavalry charges to great effect against his enemies shorter versions of the sabre were also used as sidearms by dismounted units although these were gradually replaced by fascine knives and sword bayonets as the century went on although there was extensive debate over the effectiveness of weapons such as the sabre and lance the sabre remained the standard weapon of cavalry for mounted action in most armies until world war i and in a few armies until world war ii thereafter it was gradually relegated to the status of a ceremonial weapon and most horse cavalry was replaced by armoured cavalry from the 1930s onward