Champagne Sabers

[Tyrrell]

I saw one of these for sale on this site. what's the story? How do they work?

Do you just take a wack at the cork while it's still in the little wire cage? (CRASH "whoops, could you get me another bottle?")

Does it send bubbley all over the room? ("no mam, I did not do that on purpose. I'm very sorry about your shirt.")

Is it always done only for the first bottle of the night? (inebriation and swords,just say no.)

I'd like to know.

[Thomas]

The custom, I am told, came from the Napoleanic wars. The guy with the sword was able to open a bottle of Champagne while atop a speeding horse. I think Napolean liked Champagne.

Today, it is done as a show piece. I saw someone do it once--can't remember if he took off the wire first. But he did give the cork one hard whack, and the wine streamed out of that bottle all over the floor. Everyone applauded and then we went to the task of drinking our Champagne with equal gusto...