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Primary sourceArtifactearly 19th century

Curved Saber of San Martín

early 19th century

The cavalry saber José de San Martín carried through his South American independence campaigns, bequeathed in his will and now Argentina's foremost patriotic relic.

This saber was carried by San Martín throughout his independence campaigns and bequeathed by him in his will.

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A curved saber with a dark metal grip and cross guard, and a long curved blade, displayed in a glass case alongside its gold-colored metal scabbard with black leather covering and a ring attachment.
Curved saber of José de San Martín, early 19th century. National Historical Museum, Buenos Aires.

About this source

What it is

This is the curved cavalry saber that José de San Martín acquired in London before sailing to South America. He later armed his Mounted Grenadiers with similar weapons, believing them ideal for cavalry charges. San Martín kept the saber until his death and left it to Governor Juan Manuel de Rosas in his will. After passing through several hands, it was donated to the National Historical Museum in Buenos Aires, where it is displayed today.

Why it matters

The saber links San Martín directly to Rosas, to whom he gave it as a mark of respect for defending Argentine sovereignty against foreign pressure. It became a powerful national symbol, so much so that it was stolen twice in the 1960s before receiving permanent guarded display.

Look closer

  • Why might a weapon become a treasured national symbol rather than just a tool of war?
  • What does San Martín's choice to give the sword to Rosas tell us about his values?
  • Why do you think the saber was targeted for theft decades after San Martín's death?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of José de San Martín on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Photograph of a handwritten letter on aged paper in a bound archival volume, with a red-bordered label reading 4172 and page number 1 at top right. The cursive text announces a victory and is signed with a flourish; a red circular stamp appears near the signature. Address line at bottom left.Letter

Primary source

Letter to Bernardo O'Higgins Announcing the Victory at Maipú

José de San Martín · 5 April 1818

Open booklet with a printed facsimile page on the left titled 'Maximas para mi hija, 1825' listing numbered maxims in Spanish, and a handwritten manuscript page on the right with the same maxims in cursive. Caption notes it is a facsimile of a document in the Museo Mitre.Document

Primary source

Máximas para mi Hija

José de San Martín · 1825

Handwritten Spanish manuscript page on lined paper, with a faded seal at upper left. The text begins 'En el Nombre de Dios todo poderoso' and continues with San Martín's will, mentioning his daughter Mercedes, a pension for his sister Elena, and his sable given to Juan Manuel de Rosas.Document

Primary source

Testamento de San Martín

José de San Martín · 1844

Oil painting of a man with dark, swept-back hair and sideburns wearing a dark military uniform with gold embroidered collar and cuffs and gold epaulettes. He holds a light-colored staff and a light blue and white flag with a laurel branch at upper right.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of José de San Martín

c. 1828

Oval gilt frame behind glass holding a sepia daguerreotype portrait of an elderly man with white hair and a moustache, wearing a dark double-breasted coat, dark cravat and white shirt, seated with one hand resting on his knee.Photograph

Primary source

Daguerreotype of José de San Martín

Unknown daguerreotypist, Paris · 1848

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