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It seems somewhat odd that maritime users in particular would choose a rust-prone steel grip as opposed to brass, particularly since the guard is brass. Was that a matter of cost, taste, or something else?
Today 07:31 AM
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As Jim pointed out, these types of corrugated/ribbed iron grips (found on a multitude of cutlasses of the period (m1804s and others) were japanned/painted with black primer.
As Jim pointed out, these swords seem to have made the rounds! In Annis' 'Naval Swords', we see that East India Dock Co sword with the corrugated iron grip just like these other examples. It makes sense that these para-military type swords would have appealed to the maritime market (i.e. private purchase), as they were cheap to make and simple in their construction. I wouldn't mind adding one to my collection if it at least had a tentative possible use of being naval (as the example I listed above, with the straight-bladed m1804 blade).
Radboud, thanks for posting that weapons locker. That was indeed the one shown in Gilkerson's volume.