Been told all my life that Custer and his men could have cut down scores of Indians with their sabers had they retained them and maybe even broken out and escaped.
But the Indians had rifles. And arrows have more range than sabers. They massed their forces. A fatal combination for outnumbered U.S. cavalry.
But the Indians’ victory was only temporary. Until casinos.
I don't think the sabers would have helped much either. I think when the Sioux and Cheyenne hit Custer it was with overwhelming force from several directions - it was over very quickly. I doubt they would have had time to unlimber and set up the gatling guns, much less use them effectively.