Sabretaches ultimately derive from Hungarian haversacks or bags (called tarsoly), which over time became more elaborate. Such bags were used for keeping fire-making tools and other, small essential items. In the eighteenth century, Hungarian Hussar uniforms and accessories (including sabretaches) became the ‘standard’ form worn by certain regiments of cavalry officers, including those of the British, French, Polish and Russian armies.
During the nineteenth century there were generally two forms of sabretaches. Firstly, there was a dress version whose large front flap was embellished with applied laces, embroidered battle honours, crests, crowns, insignia, monograms, mottoes, and so forth. Secondly, there was a plainer version (undress form) that was used for ‘daily’ life. Most European cavalry regimens had stopped using the plainer form by the early twentieth century, but some continued to use the dress version for ceremonial occasions.
See also the TRC Needles entry on a British light dragoon sabretache.
Source: Shorter Oxford English Dictionary: 'Sabretache'
Digital source (retrieved 9th July 2016).
Digital source of illustration (retrieved 9th July 2016).
GVE